News Coverage

'Step down in Southeast Asia': DFAT still working on foreign aid plan

Sydney Morning Herald // 7 October 2020

Australia is still working on how to deliver more support for countries in Asia to recover from the coronavirus pandemic amid growing concerns from aid groups that Australia has diverted funds from other countries to pay for its Pacific "step-up".

The winners and losers in Australia's 2020 aid budget

DEVEX // 6 October 2020

“This increased one-off support of AU$305 million for the COVID-19 response and recovery in the Pacific and Timor-Leste is good news for our closest neighbours whose economies and livelihoods are reeling from the pandemic,” said Tim Costello, executive director of Micah Australia, in response to the budget announcement.

But after years of cuts, Costello said it was far from repairing what had been taken.

BUDGET 2020: JOBS, HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH ON THE PATH OUT OF COVID

ETERNITY NEWS // 7 October 2020

This budget’s additional “one-off” funding to support Pacific nations was also welcomed by Tim Costello AO, Executive Director of Micah Australia and spokesperson for the End COVID For All Campaign. However, he adds that it “comes at the cost of cuts to other programs, including aid to South and West Asia, Afghanistan, Africa and the World Food Programme.”

“This aid budget does not go far enough to address the greatest threat to global progress on poverty we have seen in our lifetime,” Costello said.

Plea to end COVID for all as virus grips poverty-stricken nations

HERALD SUN OP ED // 6 JULY 2020

We should be remembered as a country that stepped up its assistance to address the worst effect of this international crisis, writes Reverend Tim Costello for the Herald Sun.

Jakarta 'saddened' by Foreign Aid Cuts

THE AUSTRALIAN // 18 February 2020

The head of Micah Australia, Tim Costello, who represents Christian non-profits, said Australia had walked away from its responsibilities to Southeast Asia. “I’ve said from the start the Pacific step-up should not come at the cost of stepping down elsewhere in the world but, sadly, it already has,” he said. “We are blessed to be a blessing, not just steal the crumbs from the table of the poor in Southeast Asia.This is not worthy of Australia.”

Australia steps down aid in Asia, as it steps up in the Pacific

PROBONO AUSTRALIA // 18 FEBRUARY 2020

The Australian government has been slammed for its “short-sighted” approach to regional engagement, following revelations it has slashed aid in Southeast Asian countries to boost investment in the Pacific.

“Australia needs strong trading partners, reliable allies and close relationships in our immediate region,” Costello said. “Aid plays an important role in creating soft power and we are now seeing the defence and security sector in Australia speak up and say, ‘We have lost influence, we have lost soft power’.”

Australia urged to use aid reset to focus on the world’s most vulnerable

PROBONO AUSTRALIA // 11 December 2019

Aid groups say the Morrison government’s revamp of the foreign aid program must focus on the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people while also deepening Australia’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific.

'We are Family' Pacific church Leaders tell Morrison

Eternity News // 2 December 2019

Fifteen Pacific church leaders joined more than 200 Australian Christians in parliament today to talk with Australia’s political leaders about what it means to be a part of the ‘Pacific family’.

Australia's overseas aid set for shake-up as Pacific power balance shifts

THE GUARDIAN // 19 November 2019

Australia’s aid policy is set to be recast for a rapidly changing global order, with international development minister Alex Hawke forecasting a new aid plan for the country “in the near future”.

Christian Women Visit PM to Advocate for Pacific Women and Children

The Melbourne Anglican // 26 September 2019

Christian women met politicians to talk about the importance of advocating for vulnerable women and children in the Pacific.

Opinion Piece: When Christian Women Speak Up

SIGHT MAGAZINE // 20 September 2019

This past week I had the privilege of joining 40 women leaders from across the Australian church in traveling to our nation’s capital. We came together at the invitation of Micah Australia.

Historic Women's Delegation Lobbies Parliament

INSIGHTS MAGAZINE // 19 September 2019

Forty women leaders representing all of Australia’s church denominations and Christian organisations have met with federal politicians in Canberra to address the shocking levels of violence toward women and children in the Pacific.

Five reasons the poor should factor in your vote

ETERNITY NEWS // 8 May 2019

The battle between Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall just got closer

THE GUARDIAN // 9 APRIL 2019

Abbott was unable to attend a community forum held on Monday night in Manly which was moderated by the Reverend Tim Costello, brother of Abbott’s former colleague Peter Costello, who was treasurer under John Howard.

Abbott Opponents attend forum on being Global Citizens

DAILY TELEGRAPH // 8 APRIL 2019

Being a good global neighbour by taking action on climate change, looking after refugees and foreign aid were top of the agenda at a Warringah candidates forum on Monday night. 

‘Bolt from the blue’: Sector welcomes bipartisan support for foreign aid

PROBONO NEWS // 8 APRIL 2019

“After another devastating blow to the aid budget this week, there is finally some good news on the horizon,” Costello said.

Aid groups welcome 'miracle' recommendation for Australia to increase foreign aid

ABC NEWS // 5 April 2019

Tim Costello talks to the ABC Pacific Beat about the surprise bipartisan push to increase foreign aid. 

Foreign aid ‘treated like an ATM’

PROBONO NEWS // 3 APRIL 2019

Tim Costello, executive director of Micah Australia, criticised the government for treating the nation’s aid program “like an ATM”.

Updated: Foreign aid advocates express disappointment over Australian Government decision to keep foreign aid at "least generous level" in Tuesday's budget

SIGHT MAGAZINE // 3 APRIL 2019

Christian coalition Micah Australia has expressed disappointment the Federal Government has decided to keep foreign aid at its "least generous level" following the release of the budget on Tuesday.

Budget cuts to Aus Aid a kick in the teeth for Christians

ETERNITY NEWS // 3 APRIL 2019

Australian Aid has been slashed for the sixth time in consecutive budgets by the Coalition Government.

Critics savage foreign aid budget cut

SBS NEWS // 2 APRIL 2019

"For years now the coalition has told us that aid would be restored 'once we returned to surplus'. Well surplus is here, yet the poor have been forgotten."

John Dickson 'totally awakened' to Australian Aid

ETERNITY NEWS // 2 APRIL 2019

John Dickson has recently returned from a trip to Jordan and Lebanon looking at the role of Australian Aid and he’s making no attempt to downplay the deep impact the experience has had on him.

Josh Frydenberg delivers his first budget – as it happened

THE GUARDIAN // 1 APRIL 2019

Tim Costello, the executive director of Micah Australia, has one request ahead of this budget – for the Coalition to reinstate the bipartisan commitment to aid spending.

Asylum seeker children to leave Nauru

INSIGHTS MAGAZINE // 5 FEBRUARY 2019

Matt Darvas is Micah Australia’s Campaign Director. Mr Darvas welcomed the announcement. “When the Prime Minister took office in August last year there were 109 children still on Nauru and today this announcement means the final four and their families will be removed.”

Final four kids to get off Nauru

ETERNITY NEWS // 4 FEBRUARY 2019

“This has been an extraordinary campaign, led by Australia’s humanitarian and refugee sector with many thousands across the country raising their voice on behalf of these children.”

As Australia counts down to next election, faith-based NGOs ramp up advocacy

DEVEX // 3 JANUARY 2019 

As the final sitting week began, faith-based NGOs and church groups made their push for lawmakers to put forward a stronger aid program and humanitarian action.

Labor votes to pursue recognition of Palestine,increase foreign aid

FINANCIAL REVIEW // 18 DECEMBER 2018

Long-time aid campaigner Tim Costello, executive director of Micah Australia, said the increase was badly needed. "This is a welcomed step in the right direction, and one that the Christian community has been advocating on passionately and persistently this year," he said.

ALP gives Australian aid advocates an early Christmas present

ETERNITY NEWS // 18 DECEMBER 2018

Executive Director of Micah Australia Tim Costello welcomed the ALP announcements. “This funding is in line with our values as a compassionate nation and will contribute to giving people [who are] waiting to find safety, the support that they need during their wait.”

Micah Australia welcomes Labor promise to commit $500 million to UNHCR over five years

SIGHT MAGAZINE // 17 DECEMBER 2018

Micah Australia has welcomed an announcement from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten that if elected, a Labor Government would commit $500 million in funding to the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees over a five year period.

Blue Mountains residents push for boost to Australian aid

BLUE MOUNTAINS GAZETTE // 7 DECEMBER 2018

A group of Blue Mountains residents has called for Australia to return to being a more generous nation towards our neighbours.

Can faith groups convince Australia to act on foreign aid

DEVEX // 1 OCTOBER 2019

On Sept. 20, a group of Christian women leaders headed to Parliament House to discuss the foreign aid budget and offshore asylum seeker detention with senior ministers and members of parliament. 

Christian women leaders advocate on justice issues

THE MELBOURNE ANGLICAN // 20 SEPTEMBER 2018

Women leaders from a range of Christian denominations have come together for an historic visit to Canberra. 

Australia takes a lead role in fight to eradicate malaria

THE AUSTRALIAN OP-ED // 2 JULY 2018

About 10 years ago I was lying on the floor of a Nairobi airport, feverish, convulsing and barely conscious.