Keeping promises

This time last year, there were campaigns across the nation which were successful in ensuring that the government kept its promise to foreign aid.

Along with close friends, I lead the High Five for Point Five campaign to remind the community about the government’s promise to foreign aid.

This promise is to increase its foreign aid budget to 0.5% gross national income (GNI) by 2015.

If we, as a nation, are to achieve the millennium development goals and put an end to extreme poverty then this promise is essential.

Last year this promise was reaffirmed.

Now, through colleagues within the MakePovertyHistory movement, I have heard that the Cabinet is considering scaling back foreign aid in the 2012-2013 budget.

This cannot happen.

We have made change before, together we can do it again.

As Tom O’Connor says, “These ministers might control the levers of power, but ultimately they answer to us.”

So to make sure they answer to us, we need to make our voices heard.

Head to The Oaktree Foundation for some more information about how you can help.

We will be heard and they will keep their promise.