Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

What we know is those opposite, for nine long years, played the toxic politics of negative globalism. It is the same sort of strategy we've seen from them on so many issues when the national interest is engaged. On this front, we saw the slashing of our development assistance by $11.8 billion. Despite our region becoming more competitive, those opposite refused to reverse their cuts to development. And do you know what those cuts did? They damaged our credibility. They damaged our national interest. They were a reduction in Australia's influence and national power, and they left a vacuum for others to fill.

Over two budgets, the Albanese government has rebuilt the ODA program, an important step towards the goal of making Australia more influential and stronger in the world. We look forward— (Time expired)