Australian government said here on Thursday that it backed a call from the United States urging developed nations in helping the world's poor in the face of the global financial crisis.
The U.S. government has sent a message to rich nations that they can't afford to turn inward because of the economic pressures created by slowing global growth and the contagious financial market turmoil.
Bob McMullan, the Australian parliamentary secretary for international development assistance, said the Australian government will commit its promise to lift Australian aid to 0.5 percent of gross national income by 2015.
"We have an election commitment to increase the development assistance budget ... and we intend to honour our election commitments," he said.
He also backed the move by the U.S. administration to promote continued international assistance despite tough domestic times.
"It's very tempting to look inward when there is a big problem, it's a very human thing to do, but it will only make the problem worse," McMullan said.
"But staying engaged with the world, opening up markets, generating wealth and opportunities for people in the poorest countries is also part of the solution," he said.