Skip to content
CharitiesAidWelfare, International News

Monash expert: Trump and Musk move to shut down USAID

Monash University < 1 mins read

The Trump administration has locked US Agency for International Development (USAID) workers out of their headquarters as it moved to shut the agency, which distributes billions of dollars of humanitarian aid around the world. USAID has been targeted for closure by billionaire Elon Musk, who has been tasked by Trump with downsizing the federal government. 

 

Available for comment: Dr Nicholas Ferns, School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies (SOPHIS)
Contact: +61 0416 028 594 or nicholas.ferns@monash.edu

The following can be attributed to Dr Ferns:

 

“Foreign aid is an easy target for cost cutting. It has no domestic constituency, and its visible benefits can take many years to become evident.

 

“What’s happened isn’t a huge surprise, given Donald Trump’s opposition to foreign aid during his first term.

 

“It is uncertain what effect Trump’s move will have on aid programs in the Pacific, where the US has spent over $3bn in the past decade. It is possible that this could place more pressure on Australia to contribute more to aid programs in the region.

 

“AusAID went through this when incorporated into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 2013 and despite significant teething problems associated with staff turnover, has met many of the government’s objectives relating to aid and development in the Pacific region.”

 

For more Monash media stories visit our news & events site: monash.edu/newsFor any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu

More from this category

  • CharitiesAidWelfare, RetailOnline Retail
  • 05/02/2025
  • 16:38
Coles Group

COLES KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT SICK KIDS

Wednesday, 5 February 2025 COLES KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT SICK KIDS Coles customers can transform their weekly shop into a powerful act…

  • Contains:
  • Business Company News, CharitiesAidWelfare
  • 05/02/2025
  • 07:40
Thrive Refugee Enterprise

Thrive partners with Minderoo Foundation to continue its refugee economic empowerment work with increased focus on women

Thrive Partners with Minderoo Foundation to continue its Refugee Economic Empowerment Work with increased focus on Women Funding will support greater financial inclusion and economic empowerment for Refugee Women Melbourne: Wednesday 5th February 2025 – Thrive Refugee Enterprise (Thrive), Australia’s leading NGO dedicated to empowering refugees with small businesses and employment outcomes, is pleased to announce a new funding partnership starting in 2025 with Minderoo Foundation, one of Australia's largest philanthropic foundations. This collaboration aims to enable Thrive to continue its impactful work as well as provide more resources for greater economic empowerment of refugee women across Australia. As Australia’s…

  • CharitiesAidWelfare, RetailOnline Retail
  • 04/02/2025
  • 15:50
Edelman Australia on behalf of Kmart Australia

37th Annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal sets new record, surpassing $10 Million in community contributions

MEDIA ALERT37th ANNUAL KMART WISHING TREE APPEAL SETS NEW RECORD, SURPASSING $10 MILLION IN COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS Generous Australians helped over 200,000 families to have the Christmas they deserve Tuesday 4 February – Kmart and The Salvation Army have shared their sincere thanks to the community for supporting for the annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, with generous Australians contributing to its biggest Appeal in 37 years and more than $10.3 million of value to the community. Continuing its legacy as Australia’s largest and longest running gift collection drive, the 2024 Appeal which ran until Christmas Eve, saw a total of 365,000…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.