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Government breaks promise to world's poor
9 May, 2012
We are deeply disappointed that the Labor Government has broken its promise to allocate 50 cents in every $100 of national income to overseas aid by 2015, in order to save $2.9 billion over the next four years.Aid contributions will remain at 0.35% GNI in the coming fiscal year, and will reach 0.5% in 2016-17, a year later than promised.“We are deeply disappointed that the government has reneged on its commitment to the 0.5% GNI target,” said the Rev Paul Perini, Chairperson for Micah Challenge and Anglican Minister.“Not only is it a broken promise, but it has real impact on people’s lives. Keeping the promise in full and on time would have saved at least 800,000 lives in four years. By breaking the promise, we will be saving 250,000 fewer lives over that time.”The promise to increase Australia’s overseas aid to 0.5% of GNI was made by the Labor Government before the 2007 election and reaffirmed in 2010. The commitment is also supported by the Opposition.“However, information we received from AusAID officials suggested that cuts would have been much deeper without the sustained campaigning of concerned Australians in the budget lead up,” said Mr Perini.The government and AusAID have been working hard to make aid more transparent, accountable and effective, particularly through the Independent Aid Review and the newly announced Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework. The Framework will help determine where Australian aid will be spent over the next four years, what results will be achieved and how they will be measured.“We know that aid works. Australian aid is on a solid footing to reduce poverty and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals,” said DJ Konz, a member of Micah Challenge’s National Steering Committee.According to the UN, over the past 20 years about 14,000 lives a day have been saved by well-targeted government aid money from the world’s wealthiest economies. This is a total of approximately 202 million people who are alive and contributing to their communities and economies.“We are disappointed that the government has decided not to build on this work in the coming fiscal year to keep its promise to Australia and to the world’s poor,” said Mr Konz.“The Bible says we - authorities and individuals - are to defend the rights of the poor and needy. We believe the government has failed to uphold the cause of those in poverty through this decision; however, we remain hopeful that an increased commitment to the world’s poor can be achieved in the coming years.”Micah Challenge calls upon Tony Abbott to ensure the 0.5% target is met by 2015 if the Coalition forms Government at the next election.Church leaders head to Canberra to lobby on aid
20 June, 2011
On Wednesday 22 June 2011 a group of senior Church leaders, including national leaders from a number of denominations, will join Micah Challenge in Parliament House for a series of private lobbying meetings with Federal Politicians.
"One of the key strengths of Micah Challenge is that every major denomination is represented in the coalition," said Micah Challenge National Coordinator, John Beckett.
The leaders attending this particular trip represent the Baptist, Uniting Church, Australian Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, Salvation Army, Vineyard and Anglican traditions. They are coming together to speak out against global poverty.
"It's incredibly heartening to see so many groups who are willing to come together to speak up for justice for the poorest people in our world, putting aside any differences they may have on other aspects of theology or worship," said Mr. Beckett.
"There is so much power in this kind of unity in the Body of Christ," he said. "There is such strength in our collective voice into the political sphere on this issue."
The Church leaders will hold around thirty meetings with Members of Parliament from all sides of Australian Politics on Wednesday, including members of the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet. They will also meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd and Deputy Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, as well as the office of Prime Minister Gillard.
"Politicians are familiar with the aid and development groups and grassroots supporters who are involved with Micah Challenge, but this is the first time we've demonstrated the wide body of denominational support from the churches in Australia," said Mr. Beckett.
"We've had an overwhelming response from politicians' offices wanting to arrange meetings," said Mr. Beckett. "We've actually filled our meeting schedule and had to apologise to some MPs that we didn't have time to meet with them on this trip."
"It's clear that politicians are eager to hear the Christian voice on this issue," he said.
The Christian leaders will lobby politicians on the Millennium Development Goals, including Child and Maternal Health and Environmental Sustainability.Micah Challenge urges Christians to 'Share the Earth'
3 June, 2011
Creativity and food are two key ingredients in Micah Challenge Australia's new advocacy campaign aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability in poor countries.
'Share the Earth' brings attention to the crisis of provision facing the world's poorest people, who rely heavily on a sustainable ecosystem for food, water and shelter. The campaign focuses on Millennium Development Goal 7, which highlights environmental sustainability as a key aspect of poverty alleviation.
Micah Challenge believes that Christians in Australia have a responsibility to make sure the way we use our God-given resources leads to a flourishing environment in the world's poorest nations and regions.
"We live in a land of enormous privilege," said Micah Challenge National Coordinator, John Beckett. "It's easy to fall into the belief that our standard of living is the norm, rather than the exception."
"The reality is that billions in our world don't even have access to life's most basic needs - like food and water security. The enormous imbalance in the availability and consumption of environmental resources is a justice issue that Christians cannot ignore. The reality of our global village is that we really do share the earth with these people."
"Australia has an obligation to help ensure poor countries have access to secure food, clean water, working toilets and a safe climate," he said.
Churches, schools and individuals are encouraged to join the campaign by hosting a 'Share the Table' event, which will bring people together for a sustainable meal as a simple but powerful reminder to share the earth and its resources.
The creative event can range from a church picnic, to a simple bible study meal, to a Master Chef-style cooking competition. Organisers are encouraged to invite their community and local Member of Parliament. Participants will also be asked to sign 'recipe cards' addressed to Prime Minister Gillard urging the Government to do more to address MDG7.
"This is more than another environmental campaign," said Mr. Beckett. "We need to remember that human need cannot be separated from our reliance on our environment."
"Millions of lives are being lost in poor countries as a direct result of environmental factors. Children are particularly at risk - about 2million lives could be saved by sanitation interventions alone," he said.
"This is quite simply an issue of justice and God would want us to respond with compassion."
The launch of the new campaign coincides with World Environment Day, this Sunday 5 June. Click here for more information, and to download a guide to running a 'Share the Table' event.Gillard's first budget keeps aid spending intact
11 May, 2011
The Micah Challenge coalition has welcomed the aid increase in the 2011-12 Federal Budget announced last night. The projected aid increase comes in the face of cuts in other areas of the budget, and spite of pressure on the Gillard Government to tighten the belt on spending.
"We are pleased to see our poorest global neighbours being prioritised in this budget," said Micah Challenge Spokesperson and National Steering Committee Member, Rev. Scott Higgins. "This is the first time we have seen Ms. Gillard in a position to make changes to the aid budget and it is encouraging to see her Government sticking to past commitments in this budget."
This year almost $500 million extra dollars will go to aid, which will see aid increase to $4.836 billion in the 2011-12 financial year. In percentage terms, aid will increase from 0.33% to 0.35% of national income - or 35cents in every hundred dollars - which will keep the Government on track to increase Australia's aid spending to 0.5% of national income by 2015. However neither party have yet announced a timetable to reach the international aid target of 0.7%. Despite this very welcomed increase, Australia still lags well behind other rich nations in aid spending.
The Government recommitted to reaching 0.5% in February under pressure from the Opposition to cut aid to fund the flood levy.
"The teachings of Jesus highlight generosity and justice as key pillars of the Christian faith," said Rev. Higgins. "We should always welcome compassionate and just Government decisions like these."
One area concern is the absence of any significant increase to child and maternal health spending within this year's budget.
"Micah Challenge supporters have been campaigning for Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, which focus on improving the health of mothers and children, since 2008. They have signed cards, organised public actions and met with MPs," said Rev. Higgins. "The message we hear from politicians is that health should be a priority, so it is disappointing to see this rhetoric is not being backed up in dollar figures."
There is general consensus amongst agencies that form the Micah Challenge coalition, and those in the wider sector, that the key development area of health should be a top priority and account for 20 per cent of the aid budget by 2015. This year's budget is not on track to reach that figure.
Micah Challenge supporters will email the treasurer and Foreign Affairs Minister today thanking the Government for staying on track to reach their 0.5% commitment, and encouraging them to continue improving Australia's efforts to alleviate global poverty.
Click here for a detailed analysis of the aid budget announcement.
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