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Foreign aid and Covid-19Foreign aid and Covid-19
About the author
Natasha Kassam
Natasha Kassam was Director of the Lowy Institute's Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program from 2019 to 2022, directing the annual Lowy Institute Poll and researching China’s politics, Taiwan, and Australia-China relations.
While many have been wary of Australia investing in foreign aid in the past, the vast majority in 2021 (83%) say that Australia should help Pacific Islands countries to pay for Covid-19 vaccines. Over the course of the past six months, the Australian government has pledged over $800 million in funding for vaccines in Pacific Island and Southeast Asian countries.
A majority (60%) also say that Australia should help Southeast Asian countries to pay for Covid-19 vaccines. Younger Australians are more likely to support vaccine assistance for Southeast Asian countries than older Australians, with seven in ten 18–29 year olds (70%) saying that Australia should fund vaccines for Southeast Asia, compared to 56% of Australians over 30. More than 80% across all age groups polled say that Australia should fund vaccines for Pacific Island countries.
