Another year over, but the wars continue

Australia’s armed forces cost the taxpayer $62 million a day - 40 times more than the amount our government spends mitigating climate change, a problem that will be a disastrous for the world’s poor.

Our contribution to foreign aid is also tiny by comparison. Most rich countries, Australia included, don’t even come close to spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on overseas development assistance. This modest target, agreed more than three decades ago, could be met by small cuts in military spending.

The world certainly doesn’t need more weapons. Nor does it need more soldiers. It’s time we gave peace more of a chance. World Vision chief executive Tim Costello remarked on receiving the 2008 Australian Peace Prize last month: “Every bullet fired in rage is a setback in the larger war against poverty. Without peace, we cannot have sustainable development.”

The world must not continue along its present path of violence and destruction. In John and Yoko’s words, let’s hope that this year is a good one, that the world isn’t quite so wrong. One day, perhaps, war really will be over. (But only if you want it.)