JourneyOnline
THE COUNTDOWN to this year’s federal election prompted candidates to address voters in a series of forums in June.
Make Poverty History along with Micah Challenge is arranging around 60 electoral forums in marginal Federal Electorates across Australia.
In Queensland, Make Poverty History forums have been held in the electorates of Moreton, Bonner, Brisbane and Dickson.
More than 70 constituents turned out to hear candidates for the Federal seat of Brisbane address issues of Australia’s international aid budget and commitments to the Millennium Development Goals at a forum at Brisbane Girls Grammar School on 8 June.
Make Poverty History forum organiser Ann Matson said it was a chance for voters to learn about their prospective MPs views on important issues including Australia’s overseas aid spending and efforts to tackle climate change.
Speakers included sitting ALP member Arch Bevis, LNP candi-date Teresa Gambaro and Greens candidate Andrew Bartlett, alongside Gillian Marshall from Make Poverty History and Brisbane Girls Grammar School student Caitlin Clifford.
“These forums are giving voters a chance to show their candidates for Federal Parliament that these issues are important to them,” said Ms Matson.
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), doing our fair share to halve global poverty by 2015 by achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and increasing Australia’s assistance to poorer countries to help them adapt to climate change and develop along a low-carbon path.
“We welcome the fact that both the Federal Government and Federal Opposition are committed to lift Australia’s aid spending to 0.5 per cent of GNI by 2015.
“But this still leaves Australia lagging behind many developed countries when it comes to aid spending.”
Dave Martin of World Vision said the Dickson forum on 9 June, attended by Coalition incumbent Peter Dutton and the ALP candidate Fiona McNamara, attracted 105 local residents.
“A key outcome of the forum was discovering that there is bi-partisan support for Australia to be giving up to 0.5 per cent of GNI by 2015 but neither party seems willing to commit to the 0.7 per cent foreign aid target,” he said.
Mr Martin said forums are planned for the Queensland Electorates of Herbert, Bowman, Ryan, Griffith and Lilley in the coming months.
“Make the effort to go along and positively influence our political leaders on behalf of people in poverty,” he said.
Photo : Brisbane electorate candidates, Arch Bevis, MP (ALP), Teresa Gambaro (LNP) and Andrew Bartlett (Greens) with forum attendees. Photo by Ronnie Wright/Oxfam Australia
