Plan International Australia welcomes Labor commitment to rebuild Australia’s foreign aid budget

Plan International Australia has today welcomed the Labor Party’s commitment to start rebuilding Australia’s foreign aid budget if elected, after six years of successive cuts.

The Labor Party outlined its plan for Australia’s international development program today, which would equate to spending approximately $1.6 billion more over four years than the government’s current trajectory.

Australia’s aid program has suffered more than $11 billion in funding cuts since 2013.

Susanne Legena, CEO of Plan International Australia, said:

“Labor’s commitment to increase Australia’s foreign aid budget by $1.6 billion over four years is a welcome first step to restoring our aid program.

“However, we are disappointed that Labor would not meet its target of spending 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) on international development within a reasonable amount of time.

“We need to see bipartisan support for Australia’s aid program, which delivers tremendous value and life-changing impacts, contributing to making the world a better, safer and more equal place.

“We call on all political parties to increase their ambition and help us reach our global commitment to rebuild the aid budget to 0.7% GNI by 2030.

“We cannot afford to neglect our neighbours and the world beyond if we want to promote peace, stability and justice.”

About Plan International 

Plan International is a leading girls’ rights agency. We champion girls’ rights because we know that there is nowhere in the world where girls are treated as equals. We work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.

Plan International works in more than 75 countries to help create a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Our local office, Plan International Australia funds programs to support children in more than 25 countries, as well as sponsorship programs across the federation.