Australia Commits $93 Million Extra to AIDS, TB, Malaria Fund

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer today announced that Australia will donate an additional $93 million (US $82 million) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2008-09. Since 2004, Australia has given $75 million (US $70 million) to the fund and pledged another $45 million (US $39 million). "Australia's support to the Global Fund has helped save the lives of more than 1.8 million people," Downer said in a statement. Results Australia was disappointed with the new commitment, however: It had called on the government to commit $540 million (US $475 million) to the fund over three years. "I acknowledge there has been a significant increase in funds, but I believe this is from a fairly low base, and I was hoping for more," said Maree Nutt, the anti-poverty group's national manager.

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