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. 

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 changed millions of lives and have inched us closer to the possibility of eradicating preventable disease. Australia has contributed to this progress with significant investments in health research and technology.  

Alongside this, the Federal Government increased their intake of refugees, humanitarian aid to people like the Rohingya, and in Sudan, as well as making the promise to 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.  

Yet, global instability is rising, and we are in a far worse situation than in 2022, driven by an interplay of escalating conflicts, climate-related disasters, and systemic fear. Globally, there are over 360 million people in need, 110 million people experience forced displacement—an all-time high—and we have observed some of the highest burdens of diseases such as cholera, measles, and malaria, as exacerbated by climate change. The next Australian government will have to confront these realities and put humanity first or risk becoming a bystander to greater human suffering.  

These trends will not remain “over there.” They are already affecting Australia, straining our border policies, testing our disaster response capability, and impacting our economy. While we increased the humanitarian intake to 20,000 places, we have maintained policies that marginalise some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Offshore processing, indefinite detention, and boat turn-backs continue to cause immense physical and psychological harm. These policies perpetuate a cycle of suffering and fail to uphold Australian values of fairness, respect, tolerance, and compassion.   

Australia’s refugee policies also send troubling signals to the international community. The UK’s recent decision to emulate Australia’s offshore processing model underscores how these policies—far from being a cautionary tale—are being misrepresented as successes. It is imperative that we end these inhumane practices and instead advocate for timely and durable solutions that respect human rights and people’s health. 

Australia has the resources and responsibility to be a leader in addressing global displacement. This begins with increasing our refugee intake to 30,000 places and establishing safe and legal pathways for asylum seekers. Community sponsorship programs work and need to be expanded and be in addition to the Federal Government’s existing commitments. A clear policy vision for humanitarian migration becomes ever more important as we prepare for a new era of climate change-driven conflict and displacement. 

The climate crisis isn’t just a distant threat—it’s a challenge that’s already affecting Australians through extreme weather events and risks associated with more disease outbreaks. Just as some regions in Australia are becoming unliveable due to extreme heat or severe vulnerability to bushfires and flooding, so are many other areas around the world. Recognising climate-induced displacement as a key driver under Australia’s refugee policy isn’t just humane; it’s a practical step to prepare for future migration trends and ensure orderly and effective responses. 

Australia’s economic and existential future depends on decarbonisation. Adopting 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 not only mitigate the humanitarian consequences of this global challenge but also build a healthy world and safer future for generations to come. 

Investing in humanitarian policies isn’t just about global altruism; it’s about securing Australia’s place in a stable and prosperous world. By increasing the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) budget from 0.68 percent to one percent of the federal budget—one percent is still below our OECD agreements—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. 

Additionally, the next government will need to commit to strongly upholding International Humanitarian law (IHL). Holding warring parties accountable to IHL strengthens the international systems that safeguard peace and protect civilians—including protecting the lives of 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. 

Investing in these policies is not just about generosity—it’s about foresight and our national interest. A stable and cooperative global environment is crucial for Australia’s economic growth, security, and moral leadership. 

As the nation heads to the polls in 2025, MSF urges Australians to confront these pressing challenges and hold their candidates and political parties accountable by committing to:   

1. ending offshore processing and indefinite detention and increasing Australia’s refugee intake to reflect our capacity and moral obligations, 
2. increasing Australia’s foreign aid budget and strengthening our role in accountability against humanitarian law violations, and
3. ensuring a healthy planet by committing to bold climate action, including transitioning to renewable energy and supporting communities most affected by climate-related crises. 

The upcoming election is an opportunity to redefine Australia’s legacy. By adopting policies that prioritise humanity we can better align with the values we aspire to uphold and make a meaningful contribution to global stability. 

We urge all candidates to recognise the human tragedy caused by current policies and to act decisively for change. The time to #vote4humanity could not be more urgent. 

Jennifer Tierney is Executive Director at Médecins Sans Frontières Australia. 

This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.