Use the template below to send a letter to your MP asking them to help keep the promise to the world’s poor and the commitment to halve global poverty by 2015!

Dear,

I am writing to you as a member of your electorate.

As you may know, 17 October is the Global Day for the Eradication of Poverty. I am writing to ask you to help Australia “Keep the Promise” to the world’s poor.

In 2000, Australia, along with all countries in the world, signed on to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – a global promise to halve extreme poverty by 2015. This critical date is now just over 3 years away.

Much progress has been made towards the MDGs, such as a significant improvement in child mortality rates.

However, each day 21,000 children still die from preventable causes.

While Australia has increased its Official Development Assistance (ODA) significantly since 2000, it is still only around half of the global promise of 0.7% of national income.

I urge you to help ensure Australia continues its bipartisan commitment of scaling up ODA to 0.5% of national income by 2015, and puts forward a timetable for reaching the global goal of 0.7%. This is vital to us playing our part in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

As UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon states in the 2011 MDG Report, “Between now and 2015, we must make sure that promises made become promises kept”. Please help ensure Australia keeps our promise.

Sincerely,

Make sure your local Member knows that you think that world poverty is something that can be eliminated and that Australia has a responsibility to do its fair share to make sure this happens.

Find out who your local Member of Parliament is.

Write to your Member of Parliament

Make sure your local Member knows that you think that world poverty is something that can be eliminated and that Australia has a responsibility to do its fair share to make sure this happens.

Download the latest letter writing guide. (PDF:129KB)

Visit your Member of Parliament

One of the best ways to show your MP you care about the issues is to talk to them face to face.

Download our guide on how to visit your MP. (PDF:167KB)

Ideas for visiting your Member of Parliament

What better way to inspire and enthuse your local Federal Member (or Senator) to learn about and take action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, than to provide them a basket of gifts? Each gift relates to one of the eight Millennium Development Goals and is a powerful symbol of the challenge and hope that these goals represent.

Download gift basket ideas

Need Help or want to tell us what you’ve been doing? Why not email us.