"Considering how much we have, and how little others have, we need to be doing much more than we are doing now, and we need to make sure that our aid program is reaching those in extreme poverty," he says.  "To talk about cutting foreign aid at this time is shameful."

Professor Singer’s comments come as Australia’s commitment to assisting the global poor is back on the political agenda.

Some of the country’s leading social commentators will debate whether we should increase foreign aid or provide assistance to our own poor, at the University of Melbourne on Tuesday 16 February.

Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision says: "Australians are privately very generous - both at home and to the international community - but the Federal Government has long been out of step with this private generosity in its levels of overseas aid."

The debate is a joint presentation by the University of Melbourne, World Vision, AusAid and the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), for the ‘One Just World’ series of after-work speakers’ forums, aimed at involving the community in conversation and debate on key issues facing Australia and the world.

Addressing the topic ‘What responsibilities do Australians owe the global poor?’ will be:
• Professor Peter Singer - World-renowned ethicist, author of The Life You Can Save, and University of Melbourne Professor of Philosophy
• Tim Costello - CEO World Vision Australia
• Robyn Archer - Australian arts icon as moderator
• Bob McMullan - Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance
• Claire Slatter - Development Specialist and Senior Lecturer in Social Science, Fiji National University
• John Roskam- Executive Director, Institute for Public Affairs

RSVP and find out more at: www.onejustworld.com.au

When:    Tuesday 16 February
Time:    6.00-7.30pm (entry from 5.30)
Venue:  Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, University of Melbourne