Oxfam welcomes Bob Carr as new foreign minister

General, Media Releases, News article written on the 02 Mar 2012

International development agency Oxfam Australia has welcomed the appointment of Bob Carr as the new foreign affairs minister for Australia.

Oxfam is looking forward to working with Mr Carr on key issues in his portfolio area including the growing aid program and Australia’s efforts to help fight poverty around the world.

The agency also congratulates Richard Marles for his new responsibilities as parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs.

Oxfam Australia’s executive director Andrew Hewett said it was positive to hear that Mr Carr will build on the achievements of the former minister Kevin Rudd, including a commitment to pursuing a seat on the UN Security Council.

“Succeeding in the bid for an Australian seat at this table, the inner sanctum of the most powerful body of the UN, is important and it is pleasing to hear the new minister will not shy away from this.”

The new minister will also have the important job of overseeing the growth and reform of Australia’s overseas aid program.

“Mr Carr will be the effective guardian of the bipartisan agreement to increase Australia’s foreign aid to 0.5 per cent of national income,” Mr Hewett said.

“As guardian, the new minister must take on the reform of the aid program that was started by John Howard in 2004, and continued with the recent independent review of Australia’s aid program under Mr Rudd.”

Another priority for Mr Carr will be to oversee Australia’s commitment to helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals – global goals to halve the number of people living in poverty – as the 2015 deadline fast approaches.

For interviews or more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Chee Chee Leung on 0400 732 795 or cheecheel@oxfam.org.au