Christian leaders call on government to “stop the clock” on aid cuts

Posted in News

In an open letter published in The Australian on Wednesday 20 April, Christian leaders from 12 denominations called on Treasurer Scott Morrison and the Turnbull Government not to proceed with planned cuts to Australia’s aid budget.

Church leaders expressed concern over the Government’s scheduled cut of $224 million, which will see the aid budget fall to its lowest ever in Australian history.

Stuart McMillan, the President of the Uniting Church in Australia and one of the signatories of the open letter, believes it is important to take a stand on this issue – particularly given decisions made at the Uniting Church’s 14th Assembly in 2015.

“Today’s appeal to the Treasurer follows last year’s endorsement by the 14th Assembly of UnitingWorld’s proposal for the reversal of cuts to Australian overseas aid budget and the boosting of that budget to 0.7% of Australian GNI,” says Stuart.

“Millions of vulnerable people around the world, suffering the effects of circumstances beyond their control, are now worse off because Australian aid is no longer reaching them.”

The letter’s other signatories are leaders in the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Lutheran Church, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Australian Christian Churches, Australian Baptist Ministries, Churches of Christ, Vineyard Churches Australia, Wesleyan Methodist Church, and C3 Church.

“This is an unprecedented action from leaders within Australia’s Christian denominations, instigated by a scheduled further cut to the aid budget,” says World Vision CEO Tim Costello. “Coming on top of more than $11 billion in cuts to aid since coming to office, this will be the fourth time the Government has targeted Australian aid for cuts.”

The open letter, which can be read online here, outlines the benefits of Australia aid – and the direct effect of cuts on the lives of many. It also emphasises the Christian call to “love our neighbour”.

“We know that as a nation we put this into practice when we help our neighbours recover from natural disasters, support people’s basic human rights, assist in meeting the challenges of climate change or provide a safe refuge to those fleeing persecution,” the letter states.

These are discussions Adrian Nippress, the Uniting Church SA’s Transforming Justice Coordinator, is familiar with.

“As Christians, we are called to love our neighbour and to care for God’s creation – including the humans God regards as most precious,” Adrian said in a November 2015 New Times article referring to Australian aid.

The article also discussed the Uniting Church SA’s support for the Australian Aid campaign; the open letter printed today is part of “Stop the Clock” – a project of the Australian Aid campaign.

As the scheduled aid budget cuts loom closer, Uniting Church leaders in SA and nationally will continue to join other Christians in voicing support for Australian aid.

“Bringing dignity and hope to those who are scourged by poverty, conflict and disaster is at the very core of our Christian calling,” says Stuart.

“I am proud to stand with my ecumenical colleagues in making this important appeal.”


More from News

Subscribe to receive News articles by email >


Comments

Comments (3)