Ahead of the 21 May Federal Election, the Development Policy Centre co-hosted a series of International Development Election Forums.

The Forums aim to provide political parties with the opportunity to convey their platform and priorities for Australia’s international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance programs. They are also an opportunity for stakeholders, the media and the general public to hear from the candidates on these issues and to gain clarity on the parties’ specific policies and commitments ahead of the election.

This first International Development Election Forum featured the Australian Greens’ spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Senator Janet Rice, and spokesperson on International Aid and Development, Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

Following an address from the Senators, there was a moderated discussion with a small number of in-person invitees. The discussion was moderated by communication specialist and award-winning television journalist, writer and commentator, Virginia Haussegger AM.

The Forum was livestreamed via the Development Policy Centre’s YouTube channel.

The International Development Election Forums are a joint initiative of the ANU Crawford School​ of Public Policy’s Development Policy Centre, the Australian Council for International Development and the International Development Contractors’ Community.

The second Forum featured the Opposition’s Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy MP. The third was presented by the Coalition’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Zed Seselja.