The Catholic aid agency Caritas says Australia's focus on security over climate change is a misguided approach to aid.
Caritas Australia's executive director, Paul O'Callaghan, says the government has cut the Australian aid budget for the sixth year in a row and will also fund a type of loans scheme which has previously been found to create debt traps for vulnerable countries.
Mr O'Callaghan has expressed dismay that parliament has rushed through a bill that he says paves the way for the Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
But he told Jenny Meyer the facility's future hangs in the balance with the impending general election.
Australia's Parliament buildings, in Canberra. Photo: AFP
