Foreign aid should match the need

May 25, 2026

Stephen Howes is right to argue that Australia’s aid budget failed to reflect the scale of the current global crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia recognised that instability across our region required a serious humanitarian response. Yet despite the economic and humanitarian fallout from the Iran war, this year’s increase to foreign aid was minimal once inflation is considered.

As a university student involved with The Borgen Project, I find it frustrating that aid is still treated as politically expendable, despite its role in supporting food security, healthcare, and long-term regional stability. Rising fuel and food prices are already affecting vulnerable countries across the Indo-Pacific, and Australia has both the capacity and responsibility to respond more meaningfully.

Foreign aid should not be viewed as charity. It is an investment in preventing deeper instability, humanitarian crises, and inequality in our region. At a time when Australia is benefiting economically from rising gas prices, doing the bare minimum sends the wrong message about our priorities.