Labor is for Being a Good Global Citizen
Labor has a proud tradition of standing up for the freedom and rights of others in the world.
That tradition continues with Australia being elected as one of five new non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
Australia's two-year term began at the start of 2013 and gives us a seat at the table in trying to maintain international peace and security. Australia last served on the UN Security Council under the Hawke Labor Government in 1985-86.
Australia is one of 50 countries in the International Security Assistance Force operating in Afghanistan under a United Nations mandate.
Thanks to Australia's hard working troops, Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan is on track to transition to Afghan-led security by the end of this year. Transition across Afghanistan will be complete by the end of 2014.
The majority of Australia's troops will be home by the end of 2013 with the closure of the main Tarin Kot base in Uruzgan Province.
Completing transition in Afghanistan is in Australia’s national interest as we want to help ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a breeding ground for international terrorists.
Australia has made clear that we expect to maintain a presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014, through training, military advisers, capacity building and development assistance. Australia will also consider contributing Special Forces under an appropriate mandate.
Our contribution to foreign aid has grown every year since Labor came to government in 2007; there is currently more assistance from Australia to other countries than ever before. Labor is committed to delivering an effective aid program and contributing 0.5 per cent of Australia's Gross National Income towards foreign aid by 2017-18.
