Gates urges Australia to boost aid
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has urged Australia to boost foreign aid following the country's announcement that it was delaying a pledge to increase overseas spending.
The philanthropist made his plea during a speech in the capital Canberra. He says although Australia has been relatively generous, more money is needed for vital medicine and agricultural developments.
Australia said this month it was postponing by two years a long-standing pledge to increase its foreign aid spending to 0.5% of gross national income by 2015-16. The foreign aid budget will increase to 0.37% in the next financial year.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the country would spend another 80 million Australian dollars (£51 million) on polio eradication efforts.