September e-update: Micah Challenge Australia
...The latest news from the campaign to inspire and equip Christians to speak out against poverty and injustice.
Dear Micah Challenge supporters,A month ago hardly anyone had heard the names Rob Oakeshott or Tony Windsor and not many lobbyists were bothering to pay them much attention. But long before these Independents were two of the Nation's most powerful politicians, Micah Challenge supporters were already engaging with them, asking them The Poverty Question and advocating for the global poor.
The Poverty Question campaign
Like many election candidates, Tony Windsor responded to an email from a Micah Challenge supporter who asked him The Poverty Question before the election. In his response, Windsor expressed his support for our campaign asks: "I would be supportive of increasing Australia's overseas aid to 0.7%o of GNI and the appointment of a Minister for International Development."Rob Oakeshott talked about the MDGs in his Maiden Speech to Parliament, but international issues seemed to be off his agenda in his announcement yesterday. Mr. Oakeshott did make a public statement of support of Micah Challenge and the MDGs at Voices for Justice.
Click here to watch a short clip of his address at the Signature Event.
Send us your Poverty Question feedback:
If you received a response to The Poverty Question from your newly elected MP, please tell us about it by filling out our quick feedback form: Click here to complete the form (please only provide info from the candidate who was elected). You may also like to post a summary on our Facebook page so everyone can read it. Click here for more on the success of the Poverty Question campaign.
What does it all mean?
This new brand of democracy means now, more than ever, each and every MP matters in the parliamentary process! It means that all your hard work in engaging your local MPs - even those back-benchers and independents - has paid off! We urge you to continue the poverty conversation and keep building relationships with your MPs. Click here for an extended analysis of the new Parliament and what this may mean for the poor.ENGAGE YOUR MP EARLY IN THE ELECTION CYCLE!
1. Email your local MP today
Send your MP a quick email congratulating them on their election and reminding them to prioritise the needs of the poor and the MDGs in this new term. It doesn't have to be a long message, but it's a great opportunity to continue the conversation and keep global poverty at the front of the minds of our leaders.
2. Join in the 10.10.10 action
One of the best ways you can engage your MP early is to take part in 10.10.10 - pray for our leaders and the poor, and make a Hand Print Canvas to present as a petition to your local MP. Click here to learn more about 10.10.10 and lend a hand to fight global poverty.
Click below to watch the 10.10.10 promo video.
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For all the latest updates from the campaign, visit the website. If you no longer want to receive these emails click on the 'manage subscriptions' link below to unsubscribe.
The Micah Challenge Australia Team
Ph:
(02) 9356 8500 www.micahchallenge.org.au
Micah Challenge is a global campaign to mobilise Christians against poverty, in the spirit of Micah 6:8 "...what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God",and in support of the Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty by 2015.
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