 It comes down to this. The movement to end extreme poverty has campaigned long and hard to ensure aid continues to save lives. Yet our sources tell us that the Government will decide whether to cut aid in a matter of days.
'We can't stop now' - this was the message that Independent MP Andrew Wilkie had for the Australian public earlier this week at a special press conference on foreign aid.
He was calling on the thousands of Australians who have sent messages to the Government opposing their plan to walk away from their foreign aid promise. He was defending a budget item that covers life saving initiatives - like polio eradication.
We can't stop now - because we know foreign aid works.
We can't stop now - because the end of polio is within reach.
We can't stop now - because decision makers are taking notice.
After this week's Press Conference I spoke to Mr Wilkie (who was headed to a meeting with the Prime Minister) about Government sentiment on this issue. He told me pressure is mounting, and Ministers are following this campaign - that's why, as the budget announcement rapidly approaches - I'm asking you to join me in keeping pressure on key Government decision makers.
Next Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan will announce the federal budget - with implications for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. This time last year, Wayne Swan was completing our $2 a day Live Below the Line challenge. In this video message about his experience, he said 'extreme poverty in the world is simply intolerable'.
At this critical time, we want to remind him of the importance of Australia's investment in foreign aid, and of keeping Australia's promise to deliver 0.5% GNI by 2015.
That's why we're calling on our supporters to send the Federal Treasurer one final message:
This week more than 100 prominent Australians declared their support for foreign aid.[1] But at the end of the day, the Government answers to the opinion of everyday voters. Let's make our voice heard.
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