CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms PAYNE (Canberra) (16:43): I recently attended an event in my electorate in support of international development aid. Organised by the Australian Council for International Development and Micah, the event was held to promote the Safer World for All campaign, which seeks to build strong cross-partisan political and public support for Australia's role in creating a safer world, particularly through international development and humanitarian aid.

This event was hosted by representatives of the Canberra African community, including representatives from the Sudanese-Australian Advocacy Network, the African Australian Council ACT and Celebration of African Australians ACT, and it was wonderful to meet with representatives of these groups at the event. There were very powerful speakers at the event who talked about the importance of Australian aid, some talking about experiences in their home countries, where people are facing things that are absolutely unthinkable to most of us here in Australia, and the difference that aid can make.

We also heard from people who had been aid workers about the difference that they had seen first-hand that these important programs can make. Australia's aid program has never been more important. These global pressures are not distant.

They impact countries in our region and create instability in the world order that impacts us all, including through rising fuel costs and the flow-on effects to the cost of living and all goods and services. In a volatile and uncertain global environment, our overseas development program is shaping a more peaceful, secure and prosperous region. The money that is spent on aid is preventative in many ways.

For example, every dollar spent in disaster risk reduction saves $14 that would be spent in the case of a disaster. It also reduces the risk of conflict and displacement. At a time when many other international partners are pulling back, Australians can be proud that we remain a trusted partner.

Currently, 8.6 million people receive humanitarian assistance through Australian aid each year, and 1.5 million have improved food security as a result. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 16:45 to 16:54