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This policy report card is based on the policies the Make Poverty History coalition would like to see adopted to improve Australia’s aid program and help reduce global poverty.
It is a record of the poverty-related policies that individual parties have supported publicly (including in some cases a commitment of specific dollar amounts).
MPH recognises that parties may release further policies in the lead up to the election and the report card will be updated to reflect new policy announcements.
In line with the policy priorities of the Make Poverty History campaign, the policies of Australia’s political parties are examined under the following headings:
To download a PDF copy of the full table click here (PDF: 164 KB).
Aid Volume & Effectiveness
These policies relate to the total amount of funding provided by Australia for Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), how much of this funding goes to basic poverty reduction programs, and whether the aid delivered is effective. All parties agree in principle with the objective of increasing total ODA but only the Democrats and the Greens say they will provide funding to meet the international commitment of 0.7% of Gross National Income by 2015.
Key Progress
ALP: Timetabled funding commitment to reach 0.5% of GNI by 2015 but falls short of global commitment of 0.7%.
Coalition: Have provided Australia's fair share or equal contribution to global aid targets for basic education.
Democrats: Have committed to a substantial injection of funding for water and sanitation.
For more information on the aid and effectiveness policies of each party please click these links: Coalition, ALP ( or ALP International Development Assistance), Democrats, Greens.
The Greens have requested a right of reply to the report card. Click here (PDF: 44 KB) to view their response.
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Effective and Accountable Government
All parties recognise that aid cannot be effectively delivered where poor government exists. At the same time, there is growing recognition that good governance cannot be achieved without community participation.
For more information on the individual party policies relating to effective and accountable government please click these links: Coalition, ALP ( or ALP International Development Assistance), Democrats, Greens.
The Greens have requested a right of reply to the report card. Click here (PDF: 44 KB) to view their response.
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Debt relief
While there is in-principle support to relieve the high debt burden faced by developing countries, there are mixed commitments from the parties on the best ways to achieve this.
Key Progress
ALP: A Labor Government will initiate negotiations with Indonesia over a debt swap agreement, which would see debt payments used for poverty reduction programs.
For more information on the debt relief policies of each party please click these links: Coalition, ALP ( or ALP International Development Assistance), Democrats, Greens.
The Greens have requested a right of reply to the report card. Click here (PDF: 44 KB) to view their response.
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Trade and employment opportunities
Developing countries are often disadvantaged by the world trade system, particularly by the refusal of rich nations to eliminate agricultural subsidies. There is consensus among Australian political parties that trade talks must progress to resolve this issue.
Key Progress
The Democrats and Greens support the need for a temporary workers scheme for Pacific island nations. The ALP has indicated that it is under consideration but has not committed to the establishment of such a scheme.
For more information on the trade and employment opportunity policies of each party please click these links: Coalition, ALP ( or ALP International Development Assistance), Democrats, Greens.
The Greens have requested a right of reply to the report card. Click here (PDF: 44 KB) to view their response.
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Climate Change
In principle all parties recognise through their policies that this is a critical issue for developing countries. But none of the parties have made the sufficient funding commitments that MPH deems to be vital to assist poor countries in coping with climate change.
For more information on the climate change policies of each party please click these links: Coalition, ALP ( or ALP International Development Assistance), Democrats, Greens.
The Greens have requested a right of reply to the report card. Click here (PDF: 44 KB) to view their response.
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