Should Australia increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
In 2014 the Australian government cut the Foreign Aid Budget to $4 billion. This represented a 29% cut of the previous year’s budget of $5.6 billion. According to the treasury the funds would be redirected to Defence and national security. Proponents of aid cuts say the funds are better used for domestic programs and anti-terror efforts on behalf of the military. Opponents of the cuts argue that the current reduction is too drastic and Australia should match the higher aid spending of other developed countries like the UK.
Response rates from 456k Australia voters.
36% Increase |
46% Decrease |
29% Increase |
40% Decrease |
7% Increase, but only for countries that have no human rights violations |
4% Decrease, until we drastically reduce our national budget deficit |
2% Decrease, and deny aid to countries that harbour or promote terrorism |
|
1% Decrease, and we should not give foreign aid to any countries |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 456k Australia voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Trend of how important this issue is for 456k Australia voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from Australia voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@4ZJVB9W5yrs5Y
Decrease, until no Australian citizen is homeless, and everyone can afford heating in winter and cooling in summer, and 3 healthy meals every day
@B2WGS2X5mos5MO
Increase for humanitarian aid, and only provide military aid to entities fighting a purely defensive conflict against a foreign power's encroachments on they're sovereignty. Also ensure that all entities receiving humanitarian aid are distributing it appropriately, and using it for it's intended purposes.
@4ZMGXLP5yrs5Y
Spend less money looking for missing planes
@4ZWHNHP5yrs5Y
Keep same, but only give aid to Pacific Islands/PNG
@B5XSCW32wks2W
Keep the current amount, and review which countries we are sending aid to, and deny if any have been misusing aid or is facilitating questionable activities.
@B5CJCHL2mos2MO
The aid system used by western countries such as Australia is designed to keep poorer countries reliant on us for basic necessities. If Australia wants to help they should give them the means to help themselves.
@B5BBMRL2mos2MO
As a country we should make a big statement like building an Australian children’s hospital in Gaza so everyone around the world can see & hopefully also do something life changing someday somewhere.
@B58NT2K2mos2MO
Yes, Australia should do its bit as a global citizen who has also profited from/shown support for the displacement and genocide of others
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Foreign Aid” news articles, updated frequently.
Join in on the most popular conversations.
