The fight against poverty will never be won unless countries like Australia rediscover the bold political leadership that forged and delivered the Millennium Development Goals, Oxfam said in response to the release of the UN’s final MDG progress report today.
Oxfam has called on the Australian Government to rule out further raids on the aid budget that would diminish the fight against poverty and inequality, following speculation today that the aid budget might again be in the firing line for cuts.
Australia’s formal ratification of the historic Arms Trade Treaty today is a welcome step towards saving lives by stopping the flow of arms to conflict affected countries like Syria and South Sudan, Oxfam said.
Oxfam has welcomed the Australian Government’s pledge of $2.6 million to help address the triple threat of conflict, hunger and preventable disease facing the people of South Sudan, with Australia now well placed to meet its fair share of international contributions.