Oxfam Australia has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a September election, saying it hopes the certainty will ensure leaders focus on issues to help the poorest and most vulnerable, in Australia and overseas.
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Dr Helen Szoke said the agency was looking forward to serious policy commitments on overseas aid, Indigenous rights and global hunger from Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in the run-up to the September 14 poll.
“Oxfam wants to see the Australian Government deliver its commitment to increase overseas aid levels to 0.5 per cent of our national income by 2016.
“With one in eight people around the world going to bed hungry every night, we want to see the Australian government taking strong action in the fight against global hunger.
“Closer to home, Oxfam Australia calls on the Government to continue investing in closing the gap on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality, and commit to a referendum on the constitutional recognition of Australia’s first peoples.”
Dr Szoke said Australia was ideally placed to fulfil its commitment to help the world’s most vulnerable people find a pathway out of poverty.
“As Ms Gillard highlighted, the median wealth in Australia is among the highest in the world so we have a responsibility to help poor communities in developing countries,” she said.
For interviews or more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Chee Chee Leung on 0412 560 584 or cheecheel@oxfam.org.au
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