The Australian government has cut aid to Pakistan from $39m to $19m, according to reports.

The Australian government announced on Tuesday that it is reducing the nation’s foreign aid budget by about US$82.5 million.

A majority of the cuts will be in the amount spent on aid programmes in southeast and South Asia.

Related: Pakistan receives first UAE installment of $1 billion

Aid to Cambodia will drop from $56 million to $43 million.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement that the budget was about “advancing Australia’s national interests by protecting our security and prosperity.”

“As our South-East Asian neighbours transition from developing economies, the Morrison Government is increasingly focused on building economic resilience, alongside poverty alleviation,” she said.

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