Skip to content
CharitiesAidWelfare, Political

Flatlining Australian aid undermines regional security

Australian Council For International Development 2 mins read
  • Media:

Media release | Wednesday, 28 February 2024

Australia’s peak body for international development is calling on the government to urgently boost development assistance to buffer against threats to the region and help our partners deal with climate change.

Australian Council For International Development CEO Marc Purcell called on the 2024-25 budget to double the nation’s foreign aid spend to strengthen Australia’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific.

“The foreign aid budget is at an all-time low as a proportion of overall government spending. Without a substantial boost, this is set to flatline from 2026 even as global demand for humanitarian and development assistance soars,” he said. 

“Australia is one of the least generous OECD aid donors, coming 28th place out of 31 nations. It is also at the back of the pack of foreign aid spending among G7 economies, AUKUS and Five Eyes partners.

“Failing to invest in foreign aid risks undermining Australia’s relationships with our neighbours, and its position as a trusted and respected regional partner. 

“As the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated, a threat that starts locally can quickly grow to threaten the region and the globe. Likewise, the impacts of climate change are not limited to one country or region. 

“Achieving strong outcomes on climate mitigation and adaptation, health, human rights and civil society engagement is in every country’s self-interest, including Australia’s.

“Australian NGOs play an important role in assisting low-income countries to address threats to human security. 

“Australia’s funding for humanitarian crises has stagnated while its contribution of climate assistance remains critically insufficient to meet its fair share of the global $100 billion goal decided by all parties of the Paris Agreement. The effects of climate change will have profound consequences for human development and human security at home, in the region and globally.

“To achieve global climate credibility, the government must dedicate the equivalent of the current foreign aid budget – $4 billion a year – towards climate mitigation and adaptation in the region by 2025. 

“This can be done without displacing current development funding through a simple redirection of  fossil fuel subsidies.”

ACFID’s pre-budget submission calls on the following measures to meet Australia’s commitment to boosting official development assistance to the OECD average of 0.37 per cent of gross national income by the end of 2027:

  • $150m to double Australia’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund contribution;

  • $350m towards meeting Australia’s fair share on humanitarian funding; 

  • $100m as an initial pledge for the global Loss and Damage Fund for developing nations;

  • $40m to expand locally-led climate adaptation programs; 

  • $50m for NGO-led impact investment funds; 

  • $60m to safeguard civic space and strengthen civil society;

  • $35m for Australia’s NGO Cooperation Program; 

  • $63.3m towards achieving LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality and disability equity in Australia’s development program


For more information, contact Georgie Moore 0477 779 928

More from this category

  • CharitiesAidWelfare, Government Federal
  • 06/04/2025
  • 07:29
ACOSS

We need home batteries plus energy upgrades for those struggling the most

TheALP’s home battery subsidy announced today will support a faster transition to clean energy and help lower power bills for all. We also need greater investment in thermal efficiency, electric appliances and solar for those struggling the most. “Supporting ongoing investment in renewable energy and energy storage, like home batteries, is critical to addressing the climate crisis and lowering power bills, rather than polluting and expensive gas and nuclear” said ACOSS Acting CEO Edwina MacDonald. “Home batteries will reduce peak energy demand in the evening, which will bring down wholesale electricity prices and network costs resulting in cheaper energy bills…

  • Energy, Political
  • 06/04/2025
  • 05:00
The Climate Council

Aussie households to be world leaders on home batteries under ALP’s policy pledge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2025 Australia could add another gold trophy to its renewable energy cabinet, and become a world leader in home batteriesand rooftop solar, if the Federal Government’s $2.3 billion election pledge to help a million more Australians households and businesses install batteries is realised. The program would: Lead to more than a million more batteries in the next five years, starting July 1. Help more than a million households and businesses save 30% on a new battery and reap the rewards of vastly reduced power bills. Cut climate pollution by millions of tonnes to protect…

  • Contains:
  • Oil Mining Resources, Political
  • 05/04/2025
  • 13:09
Mining and Energy Union

Dutton’s ‘mining towns are done’ comments alarming and offensive: MEU

Peter Dutton’s comments that coal mining towns are ‘done’ are alarming for the large number of Queenslanders who live and work in them, the Mining and Energy Union said today. Mr Dutton told 7’s Sunrise program on Friday: “If you look at any area like the Hunter or really any coal mining area, their jobs and that industry, that town is done.” Mr Dutton went on to say his proposal for nuclear power stations was the solution for future jobs in mining regions like the Bowen Basin. MEU Queensland District President Mitch Hughes said Mr Dutton’s comments showed the Opposition…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.