In the city of Pune in western India more than 6000 families survive on rubbish. They live on the money earned by workers – most of whom are women – who collect, sort and sell waste to scrap traders. Exclusively from low-caste groups, often known as ”untouchables”, these waste pickers are vulnerable to extreme poverty, including disease and hunger.
Oxfam Australia today welcomed the start of the national dialogue to formally recognise the special and unique place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold in our nation.
The budget is a win, but other avenues need to be explored.
International development agency Oxfam Australia has applauded the Government’s move to increase the aid budget and stay on track to meet the bipartisan commitment to the world’s poorest people.
Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett said: “This is a good news story. The money will save lives and help some of the world’s poorest men, women and children.
International development agency Oxfam Australia will be watching tomorrow night’s budget to see if Australia remains on track to meeting its aid promise to the world’s poorest people.
The Close the Gap Campaign aims to close the ten to 17-year life-expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians’ within a generation. Founded in 2006, it marks its fifth anniversary today.
Co-chairs of the Close the Gap Campaign, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda and National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking Dr Tom Calma, will today outline the crucial importance of ‘people power’ to Indigenous health equality.
It is no secret that Australia is seeking a seat on the UN Security Council, the body responsible for maintaining global peace and security. This would place Australia in the inner sanctum of the most powerful body of the UN, albeit without the veto rights of the five permanent members.
Campaigners today called on governments meeting at the United Nations to ensure no weapons or munitions are sold to human rights abusers. The call came as delegates meet this week in New York to resume negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a legally-binding treaty to regulate the global arms trade.
As Australia’s aid program continues to grow – in line with the bi-partisan commitment for aid funding to reach half a per cent of our national income by 2015 – it will become even more important to make sure we are using this money effectively.