In an increasingly volatile world, 2026 Federal Budget recognises that Australia's responsibilities do not stop at our borders, but misses the mark for adolescent girls
In response to tonight's Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Plan International Australia CEO Susanne Legena said:
"In an increasingly volatile world, this year's Federal Budget recognises that Australia's responsibilities do not stop at our borders, maintaining our role as a trusted regional partner through continued investment in foreign aid and supporting the most vulnerable people, especially children and girls.
"With the communities in our region grappling with the devastating impacts of sweeping global aid cuts, the Australian Government has held the aid budget steady, and we welcome this considering the current economic environment. Official Development Assistance has increased by the 2.5% indexation previously committed by the Albanese government, to a total of 5.2 billion in FY27.
"This represents a modest nominal increase on last year's budget, but means that Australia's aid investment has slipped even further as a percentage of our total national federal budget, down to just 0.63% of the national budget, a historic low.
"Despite this overall picture, we recognise the areas where the Government has taken action to lift investment in this budget. Support for the Australian NGO Cooperation Program has lifted by $7m (from $143m to $150m) and we welcome Australia's ongoing commitment to our neighbours, with more than 75c in every aid dollar directed to the Asia Pacific, the largest proportion yet. As they face some of the harshest impacts of climate change, conflict and economic stress, how we show up for neighbours in the region – particularly our neighbours in the Pacific, who are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis yet have contributed least to it – sends an important message to the world about our role and commitment as a responsible regional partner.
"While we know Australians are facing pressures at home, this Federal Budget acknowledges an enduring truth: our world is deeply connected, and Australia has a vital and moral role to play in supporting the world's poorest people.
"Conflict, the climate crisis and economic turmoil are sending shockwaves of uncertainty around the world, and we are living in a world where humanitarian need has never been greater. Humanitarian funding has increased to $512.8 compared with $505.3 in prior year, to support implementation of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which was established last year and championed by Australia.
"Investing in international aid is also crucial to the peace and stability of our region. While aid has had a modest 2.5% increase, an additional $53 billion will be spent on defence over the next decade. Security cannot be achieved through defence alone. Investing in aid and development, and tackling global poverty, injustice and hunger, is an important way to ensure peace and prosperity in the first place.
"This budget is a missed opportunity to have made Australia's aid dollars work even harder through targeted investment in adolescent girls, generations of which are now at risk of falling even further through the cracks.
"There are more than 240 million adolescent girls in our region, coming of age amidst a collision of global crises. Adolescence is the point at which inequalities become entrenched for girls; when they are more likely to be pulled out of school, forced to take on additional care responsibilities, exposed to violence or forced to marry. Unfortunately, as communities across the region face continued upheaval, it is girls who will bear the greatest brunt in ways such as these.
"Yet, evidence consistently shows that investment during adolescence delivers the highest returns - improving education, health, economic participation and long-term stability for entire communities. Girls become women with choices, and entire communities rise with them. At a time when Australia's aid dollars need to work as hard as they can, this was a key moment to invest in girls, and we are extremely disappointed that this moment has been missed.
"Plan International Australia also recognises the Australian Government's commitments to strong partnerships with the Pacific ahead of the pre-COP and COP31 climate summit. If Australia is serious about wanting to help drive serious action around Pacific priorities, and as Pasifika communities in our region struggle to cope with the growing impacts of climate change, Australia should leverage its role as President of Negotiations to champion COP31 as a pledging COP to mobilise finance for developing countries, alongside support for the Pacific Resilience Facility, with a focus on gender- and child-responsive finance," said Ms Legena.
[
