Forbes' richest man in the world and Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, is at the Lodge in Canberra to discuss a possible increase to the international aid budget of Australia. The current budget is at $5 billion.

Gates first met with PM Gillard before heading off to his speaking engagement at the National Press Club. He is also scheduled to meet the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbot. Later tonight, Gates will appear in an ABC TV program for an interview.

Upon his arrival at Radio National Breakfast, Bill Gates thanked the people of Australia for contributing to the overseas aid budget. Gates also mentioned that the government is doing a good job of utilizing the budget for much-needed improvements in the health sector for example.

Gates also expressed his sadness over the Australian government's decision to withhold a budget increase for this month. He said he was a little disappointed with the turn of events. Gates' meeting with the PM Gillard will hopefully bring positive results for both parties.

In his interview, Gates reiterates that technology will always be a part of the solution to global problems like disease and poverty. Technology can be used to help people living with poverty learn to support themselves. Gates also talked about the possibility of making a new vaccine for malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS.

Gates discussed more about the tech projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This includes a project involving clean toilet facilities for people living in the slum areas. Another project the foundation supports is keeping vaccines cool without using electricity.

Bill Gates is the co-chairman of a charitable organization that works to address extreme poverty and alleviate disease in developing countries. His foundation also seeks to eliminate polio in these areas. The foundation has so far spent $1.8 billion for polio elimination around the world.

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