Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressed the gathering as he and the Opposition leader breakfasted with Micah Challenge supporters at the launch of a new edition of the bible, highlighting the thousands of verses that address poverty and justice. Mr Rudd spoke enthusiastically of the work of Micah Challenge, describing it as 'significant':
"Micah Challenge has formed a coalition of more than 30 Christian aid and development agencies in Australia, embracing Catholic, Protestant and Pentecostal traditions of the Christian faith. More than 101,000 Australians have signed the Micah call in Australia, a personal statement of commitment to work to the ending of global poverty. And the Micah Challenge is of course running the Voices for Justice campaign that's brought to Canberra 270 people from every state and territory, representing churches and schools in cities, regional and country areas."
In his speech Mr Turnbull also offered his support of the campaign. "On behalf of the Opposition, can I congratulate each and every one of you for your dedication and your commitment to speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves", he said.
But despite this bi-partisan show of goodwill towards the concept poverty reduction, neither party have made a commitment to meeting the International Aid Target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI). This figure, agreed to by all UN nations in 2000 and reaffirmed by Australia on multiple occasions since, represents just 70 cents out of every hundred dollars of our national income.
Micah Challenge supporters express deep concern that Australia is still not doing its 'fair share' to halve global poverty and have come to Canberra to call our nation's leaders to account. "We are here because we passionately believe that Australia can and should be doing more to help our global neighbours in need." said Micah Challenge National Coordinator, Mr John Beckett.
"We have heard enough excuses about why we can't do our fair share. As we have seen with the Global Financial Crisis, the developed world is able to find the funds to address an important cause. Well, we believe that the 1.4billion people still living in extreme poverty, on less than $1.25 a day, represent not just an important cause, but a moral cause as well." said Mr Beckett.
"We call both the Government and the Opposition to make a firm and timetabled commitment to increasing Australia's giving to the world's poorest to 0.7% of national income." he said.
Micah Challenge supporters will continue to challenge the Government on this issue in the lead up to the next election. The campaign is calling churches, schools and community groups to hold 'Survive Past Five' 5th Birthday Parties in every electorate across Australia, to advocate for the 8.8 million children who die before their fifth birthday annually. Federal politicians will be invited to attend the birthday parties and to light a candle on the cake in support of reducing child mortality rates. Visit www.micahchallenge.org.au for more information.
Voices for Justice opened on Monday with campaign supporters joining together in a peaceful protest calling for an end to global poverty. Almost 6000 personal, handwritten letters to the Prime Minister delivered to Parliament House by rickshaw, representing the voices of thousands of Christians around the country who believe that justice is an essential expression of their faith.
Micah Challenge is a global campaign of Christians who want to encourage the leaders of all nations to fulfil their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, to halve absolute poverty by 2015. We believe that we have made a promise to the poor and are capable of upholding our commitment.