MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday 7th August 2010
Call on Candidates to Make Poverty History
Voters in the seats of Denison and Franklin will have the chance to hear if their candidates for Federal Parliament want to help Make Poverty History at a Meet the Candidates Evening being held at EcoHaven, 71 Murray St Hobart on Monday 9th August 2010.
Make Poverty History Spokesperson Jeremy Picone said the forum was a chance for voters to learn about their prospective MP’s views on important issues including Australia’s overseas aid spending and efforts to tackle climate change.
“We know that many Australians want their Government to do more to Make Poverty History. These forums give voters a chance to show their candidates for Federal Parliament that these issues are important to them,” Jeremy said.
The Make Poverty History campaign is calling on all sides of politics to commit to:
• Lifting Australia’s aid spending to 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI).
• Do our fair share to halve global poverty by 2015 by achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
• Increase Australia’s assistance to poorer countries to help them adapt to climate change and develop along a low-carbon path.
“Every minute counts when it comes to tackling global poverty and this federal election year is a key moment for Australia to stand up and do its part,” Jeremy said.
“We welcome the fact that both the Federal Government and Federal Opposition have committed to lift Australia’s aid spending to 0.5 % of GNI by 2015.”
“But this still leaves Australia lagging behind many developed countries when it comes to aid spending. Countries like Britain, Ireland, Germany, France and Spain spend more of their national income on overseas aid than we do.”
“By increasing aid to poor countries by just a small amount, Australia can help lift millions of people out of poverty, ensure people have enough food to eat and help save millions of children’s lives.”
“It is also vitally important that Australia do its fair share to reduce global emissions and to help poor countries adapt to the impact of climate change. People in many developing countries are already feeling the effect of climate change. They’re experiencing more intense droughts and more frequent flooding, affecting their ability to grow food and their chance of a secure future.”
The Make Poverty History Meet the Candidates Evening for the seats of Denison and Franklin will be held at EcoHaven 71 Murray St Hobart on Monday 9th August. The candidates attending include Jonathan Jackson, Cameron Simpkins, Geoff Couser, Andrew Wilkie, Melanie Barnes and Wendy Heatley.
Laura McIlhenny Promotions Coordinator Live Below the Line Tasmania
