CANBERRA — The 45th Parliament of Australia has officially concluded, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday dissolving the government and announcing general elections for May 18.
For the two major parties, the Liberal Party of Australia and Australian Labor Party, the election will be primarily focused on local issues. Morrison’s campaign is centered on a strong Australian economy to build Australia over the coming decade. Labor leader Bill Shorten is focused on a “fair go” by tackling concerns of growing inequality, with local action on climate change also creating a divide between the two parties.
And yet, with regard to foreign aid and development, while Labor has committed to a stronger aid program than the Liberal Party, neither commitments are at the levels that have been seen in the past.