Over three days of action, Australians have called on our politicians to “Keep the Promise‟ to the world’s poorest people.

As global financial instability threatens to be on the rise again, there has never been a more important time for Australian politicians to reaffirm their commitment to help halve global poverty by 2015, according to the Make Poverty History coalition.

Australians took photos of a handshake, symbolising the promise Australia has made, and took to Facebook and Twitter to send messages to their MPs.

“At present, Australia’s aid spend is roughly equal to one cup of coffee a week for every Australian” said Rev. Tim Costello, Co-Chair of Make Poverty History and CEO of World Vision Australia.

“Australians are a generous people, and we can do better than that,” he said.

“With schools, churches and community supporters coming out in numbers to show their support for the Millennium Development Goals, it is clear public support to boost overseas aid and to reduce global poverty is high.”

Rev. Costello said that the support of the Australian public was critical to ensuring that Australia stays on track to maintain its commitment to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Andrew Hewett, Co-Chair of Make Poverty History and Executive Director of Oxfam Australia, pointed out the importance of the bi-partisan commitment to supporting aid.

“The support shown by the Australian public to this campaign reveals how close to their hearts the Millennium Development Goals are,” he said.

“Our politicians must take heed of this support and hold firm in their promises to the world’s poorest people. Too often great promises are made and then broken when push comes to shove.”

The “Keep the Promise‟ Campaign has formed part of the activities for Anti-Poverty Week, which runs from 16-22 October across Australia.

For more information and photographs visit: www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/keep-the-promise

For comment contact:

Joelle Auffray
Campaign Coordinator
MAKE POVERTY HISTORY
03 9251 5288 | 0426 956 787 | joelle@makepovertyhistory.com.au