February 7, 2011

The Federal Opposition are considering cutting aid to Africa.

Right now, the Coalition are about to vote on a proposal to slash $200 million from Australia’s Aid budget for Africa.

Can you make a phone call immediately about this issue?

Today the West Australian reported that “Slashing foreign aid, fiercely opposed by some in the shadow cabinet, would contravene Mr Abbott’s declared support for the Millennium Development Goals which seek to tackle world poverty.”

Abbott opposes the Flood Levy, and proposes to cut aid to Africa to raise funds for flood recovery instead.

TEAR Australia believes cutting aid to be cruel and unnecessary.

The proposed Flood Levy is already supported by a majority of Australians. As a wealthy nation, Australians can afford the Flood Levy. As a generous nation, Australians want to help their neighbours in need – both their neighbours in the flooded regions of Australia, and their neighbours in extreme poverty overseas.

Could you please take 5 minutes to urgently call our political leaders today?

The Coalition are meeting right now to sign off on their list of budget cuts, so now is the time to speak up.

On 4 February 2010, Tony Abbott said: “I want to be absolutely clear about this: the Coalition supports existing plans for spending on foreign aid.” Let’s pray and act to ensure that the Coalition keeps this promise.

African rates of child and maternal mortality are amongst the highest in the world. This proposed cut to aid would eliminate vital projects that would provide:

• Midwife training and maternal care in Ethiopia, Tanzania and South Sudan,
• Agricultural productivity in Africa (an area where Australia’s experience in tropical and dryland farming is crucial), and
• Access to clean water and sanitation in Malawi and Mozambique – helping to combat preventable water-borne disease.

The world’s poor can’t speak up for themselves in this situation. Today is the time for us to speak up as the Coalition comes to a final decision.

Please make a phone call to the offices of:
• Tony Abbott, Opposition Leader: (02) 6277 4022
• Andrew Robb, Opposition Finance: (02) 6277 2062
• Julie Bishop, Opposition Foreign Affairs: (02) 6277 2102
• Joe Hockey, Opposition Treasurer: (02) 6277 4854

Politely say your name, and encourage the Coalition not to cut foreign aid to Africa, especially when a majority of Australians already support the Flood Levy. You may also want to share that your Christian faith calls you to defend the poor.

Please also pray for wisdom, compassion and humility as the Coalition comes to their final decision today.

Thank you for taking action.

“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” – Proverbs 25:15

TEAR Australia does not support any political party, but seeks to empower Christians to ensure all political leaders keep their promises to the world’s poor.