The Australia We Believe In

The choices Australians make in this year’s federal election will define Australia’s role in protecting human dignity, fostering global stability, and—critically—securing our future.

In 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders/ (MSF) Australia calls on all political parties to adopt humane, ethical, and forward-thinking policies to address the interconnected crises of forced displacement of asylum seekers and refugees, climate change, and the current humanitarian state of play. These are not just global challenges; they are also challenges for Australia.

Australia’s Global contribution and the Rising Challenges

Since the last federal election, the global community has made remarkable strides in health technology—breakthroughs in malaria, HIV, and certain cancer vaccines. AI-driven disease prevention and renewable energy innovations have saved millions of lives and inched us closer to eradicating preventable disease. Australia has contributed to this progress with significant investments in health research and technology.

Alongside this, the Federal Government has increased its intake of refugees, provided humanitarian aid to people like the Rohingya and in Sudan, and become a global leader in renewable energy. These actions reflect our values, but they also serve our national interest. A stable, healthy, and cooperative global environment is essential for Australia’s security and prosperity. 

A World in Crisis: Australia Must Step Up 

In many ways the world is facing bigger challenges than at the previous election in 2022. Climate catastrophes, war, and abject poverty have cast more than 360 million people into crisis and displaced 110 million—a record high. Infectious diseases that kill, including cholera, measles, and malaria, are increasing. None of these crises are "over there"—they are already impacting Australia's borders, economy, and ability to respond to disasters. 

As this occurs, governments around the world, ours included, are cutting humanitarian assistance. Investing each dollar wisely today in preventing and responding to human distress saves ten times the money when crises become contagious. 

Australians Lend a Hand—So Should Our Government 

Australians have always supported their neighbours in times of hardship—whether in the form of natural disaster, local assistance, or foreign aid. The new government must take the same approach overseas. 

1. Strengthening Australia’s Role in Global Humanitarian Aid 

Investing in humanitarian policies isn’t just about global altruism—it’s about securing Australia’s place in a stable and prosperous world. And yet, Australia's aid budget is shrinking, even though we are one of the wealthiest nations in the world. By increasing the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) budget from 0.68 per cent to 1 per cent of the federal budget, Australia can play a key role in mitigating the effects of global crises that often spill across borders. Stability abroad leads to stability at home.

Holding warring parties accountable under International Humanitarian Law strengthens the international systems that safeguard peace and protect civilians—including aid workers and medical personnel. Ensuring adherence to the Geneva Conventions reinforces global norms that benefit everyone, including our defence forces, by setting clear boundaries on conduct during conflicts.

2. A Humane and Pragmatic Solution to Asylum Seekers 

Australia's asylum seeker policies are inhumane, wasteful, and costly. Offshore detention costs taxpayers up to $1 billion annually, generating profits for global private prison corporations instead of contributing to local services. A clear policy vision for humanitarian migration is more important than ever as we prepare for a new era of climate change-driven conflict and displacement.  

We must:  

✅ Raise our refugee intake to 30,000 per year from 20,000.  

✅ Provide safe, legal passage for asylum seekers that does not cause further harm. 

✅ Establish community sponsorship programs without reducing national responsibility. 
 

3. Emphasise Climate Action to Save Lives 

The climate emergency is already affecting Australians and communities worldwide. Extreme weather is on the rise, food and water shortages are intensifying, and infectious diseases are spreading faster. Adopting progressive policies to achieve a rapid, full transition to renewable energy—ending reliance on fossil fuels by 2030—is vital. By tackling climate change head-on, Australia will mitigate the humanitarian consequences of this global challenge while building a healthy world and a safer future for generations to come.

MSF teams see the impacts firsthand—floods, droughts, heatwaves, and conflict over resources are killing lives. 

Australia must: 

✅ Transition to 100% renewable power and end fossil fuel reliance by 2030. 

✅ Save communities hardest hit by climate disasters.  

✅ Lead the world on climate action to prevent growing humanitarian disasters.

The Choice in 2025: A Better Future or More of the Same 

In this election, Australians have a choice to vote for a smarter, fairer future. Investing in these policies is not just kind—it's smart, secure, and economically wise.  

We are at a crossroads. This election is our opportunity to act. It's time to act. 

Join us. Call for a good future. Vote for policies that put people first. Vote for humanity.