“Australia's aid funding to the Pacific has increased slightly for this year, with new, separate funding for Covid-19 response in the Pacific.
“The package was contained in the federal budget released Tuesday night.
“Australia's overall aid budget has decreased by about A$44 million dollars, though the portion for the Pacific has increased slightly, to A$1-point-66 billion.
“Papua New Guinea is still by far the biggest recipient, with $491 million, though that's down 20 million from last year.
“However, the budget also contains a separate two-year $305 million Covid response package.
“Foreign minister Marise Payne said this will help address the social and economic costs of the pandemic in the Pacific”.
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