LOCAL farmers are being robbed by the Rudd Government so it can use the cash to “buy” a seat at the United Nations Security Council, it was claimed yesterday.

While the countryside has its funding cut despite battling floods and drought, hundreds of millions in extra aid dollars are going to Africa.

Ignoring a $57 billion deficit, the Government announced $464 million extra for overseas “food security” in this month’s Budget – much of it going to African countries battling to provide sustainable farming.

And The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that the main agency in charge of combating money laundering has had its budget slashed but has been told to help African nations.

Who should the financial aid go to – NSW farmers or Africa? Tell us below

Austrac confirmed plans to provide $7.7 million in “technical assistance” to four African countries. The votes of these countries – Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia – will help decide whether Australia is elected to the UN seat. Dairy farmer Vic Rudder said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had his priorities the wrong way around.

The 64-year-old battler said Canberra should look “after its own backyard first” rather than giving more money to overseas farmers.

“Why give it in foreign aid when we are struggling here?” he said.

Mr Rudd, a former diplomat, has strenuously denied suggestions his eventual goal is to become the UN secretary-general.

But Liberal Deputy Leader Julie Bishop accused the PM of sacrificing farmers’ interests in order to “support his job application” for the UN.

“This is nothing more than an ego-driven campaign by Mr Rudd to buy himself a place on the world stage,” the foreign affairs spokeswoman said.

The National Farmers Federation also criticised the decision to cut $60 million from the agriculture Budget while boosting overseas aid.

“The priority is wrong to cut spending here, while increasing it overseas,” NFF chief executive Ben Fargher said.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith this week admitted the Government planned to “enhance” Australia’s diplomatic presence in Africa.

“We are under-represented in Africa and we need to start the job now of fixing that problem into the longer term,” he said.

Controversially, Governor-General Quentin Bryce undertook a three-week tour of 10 African countries in March and April, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Nationals leader Warren Truss said the Government was cutting $900 million from the agriculture Budget.

“Labor wants a seat on the UN Security Council and they are prepared to pay any price,” he said.

But Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said Mr Truss couldn’t count.

“It’s a lie,” he said of the claim.

Source: The Daily Telegraph