Another session of Senate Estimates with the Department of (DFAT) and more questions into where your hard-earned tax dollars are actually going.
At a time when Australian families are struggling just to keep the lights on and put food on the table, this Labor government has poured more into Afghanistan ( $310 million since 2021) which includes a recent $50 million. Why are we sending millions to a country controlled by the Taliban? The department claims the money goes through the UN and “established partners” to help women and girls, rather than the regime. Yet let’s be real — the Taliban are violent oppressors who have been known to steal grain and manipulate aid.
The government admitted they’ve had to cancel programs in the past because of the exact risks I raised. Now, they say they rely on “independent reporting” to ensure the money reaches the right spot.
They need to prove to me — and to you — that this money isn’t just propping up a corrupt, illegitimate regime.
The Minister expressed that 22 million people in Afghanistan are in “dire need,” however I reminded her that our own constituents are doing it tough too and we have a responsibility to Australians first. I reminded them how we got here. We went into Iraq and Afghanistan based on the “weapons of mass destruction” lie from Bush, Blair, and Howard. We sent our brave young men and women into a conflict built on a vacuum of evidence, created a massive mess, and now we’re expected to keep paying for it indefinitely?
It boggles the mind that no one in this Parliament seems willing to hold the people who made those original, disastrous decisions accountable.
I will continue to demand the data and the evidence. We cannot have a government that makes “weighty decisions” to send our money overseas without absolute transparency.
– Senate Estimates | February 2026
Transcript
Senator ROBERTS: The next set of questions is about Afghan support. At a time when Australian families are finding it very hard to pay vital bills and put food on the table, why has this Labor government given $50 million to Afghanistan, which is controlled by the Taliban?
Senator Wong: I’ve seen some misinformation in the public sphere about this, and I’m very happy for others to explain the support we are providing, particularly to women and girls.
Ms Storey: We’re aware of reports and concerns in the community around the Taliban seeking to interfere in the provision of humanitarian assistance. We are confident that our humanitarian support, which is actually $310 million since the fall of Kabul, including Ministers Wong’s and Aly’s recent announcement of $50 million on 29 January. This has a particular focus on meeting the needs of women and girls and on nutrition, healthcare and protection assistance. We work with established partners, such as UN agencies, to ensure that our support reaches those most in need. We work with longstanding partners to ensure our aid supports those most in need; so, in other words, it does not go to the Taliban. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has stated that it takes extremely seriously any allegations of malpractice and corruption and ensures these are promptly investigated.
Senator ROBERTS: Who would accuse the UN of corruption! The Taliban government, which is violent, oppresses women and sells the grain, we’re told, given to them by charities and makes the local men work in return for grain that was donated by governments from the West. The Taliban are not our friends; I’m sure you agree. Ask any soldier who served there what he or she thinks about this. The Taliban government is corrupt and most foreign aid is stolen, so it’s reported, and not passed on to those in need. So, you rely upon the UN and other agencies to make sure that our aid reaches the right spot?
Ms Storey: That’s right.
Senator ROBERTS: How confident are you?
Ms Storey: I can take that on notice to provide you with more extensive detail. I need to reiterate that we do not regard the Taliban as the legitimate representatives of the people of Afghanistan. While there are some who have this view, there are also many who express strong support for the provision of humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan because of the very dire and deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.
Senator Wong: Could I just add to that? Firstly, the situation in Afghanistan is dire. You’re right; the Taliban is not our friend, which is why we have been so clear about our view in relation to the Taliban and also why we have taken action—a world-first sanctions framework, the imposition of financial sanctions on senior Taliban socalled ministers for their involvement in the oppression of women and girls. We are very clear we do not recognise the Taliban. You’re right; we have had previously to alter our provision of aid and discontinue programs for the sorts of reasons you have outlined. What the department has sought to do is to recognise the Daini and also how is it through other partners that we can provide assistance to people who need it, whose need is so great. Independent reporting and regular donor engagement such as has been described are in place to confirm that our UN partners are delivering aid effectively, accountably and in line with humanitarian principles.
Senator ROBERTS: Are they going to get it? That is my question.
Senator Wong: I have a photo in my office, actually, of two girls walking to school, which was taken by an Afghan man whom I met at an event where we had to talk about what we had done and show what we had done, particularly for women and girls, but we had to discontinue the program for the very reasons you outline. But we’re seeking to provide some assistance with the sorts of protections that the department has outlined.
Senator ROBERTS: You’re going to provide me reassurance on notice—
Ms Storey: Yes.
Senator ROBERTS: that the money is getting to the right place?
Ms Storey: The minister noted that independent reporting and regular donor engagement that does confirm the partners are delivering effectively. We can provide you with a little more information on that, certainly.
Senator ROBERTS: How much has the government given to Afghanistan since 2021? Is it $310 million or more?
Ms Storey: Yes, it’s $310 million in total. That’s committed and provided. That includes the most recent announcement of the $50 million.
Senator ROBERTS: I ask these questions because some of our constituents are pretty upset with Australia; we’re doing things pretty tough at the moment, but people in Afghanistan are doing it even tougher.
Ms Storey: Almost the same size as the Australian population, 22 million in Afghanistan, is assessed to be in dire humanitarian need. I know that this is a balance that we must take.
Senator ROBERTS: Minister, the thought comes to me that our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan was based on the so-called evidence of weapons of mass destruction from England, America under Bush and John Howard in Australia. Then we were told by all three leaders and their nations that there was never any evidence. We have gone into those countries, jeopardised our own people, boys and girls, and created a mess and now we have got more of a mess. Is there any thought given to stopping the mess in the first place and making sure we only enter conflicts where there’s justification?
Senator Wong: There’s a lot in that question.
Senator ROBERTS: There is. It’s a simple answer, yes or no?
Senator Wong: Historically, you might recall the position then Labor opposition had in relation to the Iraq War. I’m not sure I can do your question justice in terms of a full and comprehensive answer, but I think there are two points. One is committing Australian men and women to conflict is the most serious decision a government can make. It is a decision that should be made soberly and—
Senator ROBERTS: With facts
Senator Wong: on the basis of facts and a very clear assessment of our national interests. It is the most serious and weighty decision a government can make. The second point is we cannot assure stability in other countries from where we are. We can contribute to it, but ultimately peace and stability require many elements in country and in the region. It is a reminder of why, whether it is in the Middle East particularly or more broadly we keep as our objective contribution to peace and stability.
Senator ROBERTS: It boggles my mind that, as far as I know from reports through the media, no-one in the parliament has questioned the original decision to go into Iraq and Afghanistan and held people accountable.
