Foreign aid is supposed to be used to help the poorest of the poor overcome poverty, but right now the Gillard Government is planning to take this money and keep it for themselves.
Instead of using these vital funds for poverty alleviation, they want to divert $375 million towards processing asylum seekers – effectively balancing their books on the backs of the world’s poorest people.
But it may be worse: sources say that the real figure stolen from the poor could be over half a billion dollars.
“The Gillard government has made itself the third largest recipient of foreign aid”
That’s not what foreign aid is for.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Call Wayne Swan’s office on (02) 6277 7340.
- Find out if your local MP is a Labor MP and call them (find out here and search for their website), or call Foreign Minister Bob Carr on (02) 6277 7500.
- Call Julia Gillard’s office on (02) 6277 7700.
Ask for the Chief of Staff and ensure your call is noted.
Some more news articles with further information.
- Australia to cut aid to fund asylum seeker costs
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-17/australia-to-cut-aid-to-fund-asylum-seeker-costs/4432606 - Labor MP slams foreign aid cut
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/labor-mp-slams-foreign-aid-cut-20121217-2bjd1.html - Aid budget raided to pay for refugees
http://www.afr.com/p/national/aid_budget_raided_to_pay_for_refugees_TVVhMS4jVAxSMlVEEO8wHM - Charities label PM a Grinch over aid cut
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1721479/Charities-label-PM-a-Grinch-over-aid-cut - Peak Body Says Plundering Aid Budget for Asylum Seeker Costs is Wrong
http://www.acfid.asn.au/media-room/press-releases/peak-body-says-plundering-aid-budget-for-asylum-seeker-costs-is-wrong - Oaktree’s media release
http://media.theoaktree.org/2012/12/18/the-oaktree-foundation-to-unleash-thousands-of-youth-voices-on-government/
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