Aussie considers more aid

Aussie considers more aid

CANBERRA (Reuters): Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said yesterday Australia had done a great deal to help Indonesia in its current crisis and would look at providing more aid if required.

But Downer said that given the aid already made available to Indonesia through an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package and a World Bank humanitarian package, it was now very important to restore confidence in the economy.

"Australia has done a great deal to help Indonesia at this time, and it's appropriate that we should do," Downer told parliament.

"If there is to be further assistance needed, then naturally enough we'll have a look at that, but let me say we will keep this matter under review," he said.

Downer said Australia had already provided about A$50 million (US$31 million) in humanitarian assistance above its normal aid program for its northern neighbor.

As well, it had helped with the IMF package and helped coordinate the World Bank aid.