Sight asked some prominent Christians for their thoughts on the federal election. Here are their answers…
AMANDA JACKSON, national coodinator of Micah Challenge Australia
What are the most important issues of this election?
“We need governments which protect the vulnerable and maintain justice and look beyond short-term ideas to long-term solutions. We have not heard much about the weak and vulnerable in the campaign so far – the mentally ill, the elderly, the poor. All governments need to do things like collect taxes, maintain infrastructure and maintain the law. It is the things beyond those basics which set leaders apart as visionary. It would be good to see more creative vision. What would I like the issues to be? Integrity and responsibility at all levels of public life – the police, politics, the justice system. A determination to measure all ideas and policies against environmental and social costs, not just economic ones. Policies which support the vulnerable and support those who care for them. Global poverty and poverty in Australia.”
What do you think of the campaigns so far?
“It’s great that there is genuine interest in the campaign, because it is close, but issues don’t get debated very much – it is announcements about spending and quick images of Howard on his morning walk or Rudd in a shopping mall. It seems incredibly orchestrated. It is interesting that Peter Andren, an independent MP who died last week, was universally praised because he stood up for the little guy, maintained his ideals and wasn’t afraid to be independent. We need more politicians like that, who will not get sidelined if they dare to speak out against their party’s ideas.”
What stands out for you as the defining moment of this election so far?
“Two photos in the Sydney Morning Herald of Howard and Rudd walking in the same shopping centre, cuddling the same unsuspecting baby. It summed up the shallow nature of most electioneering.”
What three issues would you like to see a greater focus on in the final few weeks of this election?
“Foreign policy that relies more on integrity and less on soldiers. Australia could be known around the world as a nation that brokers peace and justice, that is generous to the poor, that works with other nations in partnership and that has consistent policies on corruption, democracy, equal opportunity and trade. I would like all parties to agree that some issues are beyond party politics – we should act with bi-partisan goodwill on global poverty, fair trade and climate change. I would love politicians to say that achievement as a community worker, scientist, counsellor or teacher is far more valuable than sporting prowess or celebrity.”
TIM COSTELLO, chief executive of World Vision Australia
What are the most important issues of this election?
“Working for the nation’s largest aid and development agency and having an active role in the Make Poverty History campaign, it is almost impossible for me not to highlight policies that will enhance Australia’s role in the fight against global poverty. We live in a world in which still today a child dies every three seconds. We also know that the predicted impact of climate change are going to hit the very poorest countries in our region the hardest, further increasing their vulnerability and need. I am heartened that for the first time in some 30 years, the issue of Australia’s overseas aid contribution has been raised by the leaders of both major parties in this campaign. Unfortunately while individually Australians are very generous in giving to oveseas aid, our level of government giving lags badly. We are equal 15th out of the world’s 22 richest nations when it comes to the percentage of aid we give annualy. Despite the welcomed move by the Howard Government to boost aid by 2010 our level of giving will only reach 0.3 per cent for gross national income. The Millennium Development Goals, aimed at halving global poverty, which Australia endorsed call for aid to reach 0.7 per cent of GNI.”
What do you think of the campaigns so far?
“I think it is a campaign where there has been a good debate about the issues – about education, industrial relations, tax, climate change and of course overseas aid. Although I was disappointed that both major parties opted to $30 billion plus in tax cuts rather than spending in other critical areas.”
What stands out for you as the defining moment of this election so far?
“For the Make Poverty History campaign, the announcement that the ALP will commit to boost aid to 0.5 per cent of GNI by 2015 was a tremendous start. It is not the 0.7 per cent that we believe it should be, but it is at least the very
minimum that would be required for Australia to do its share in terms of the MDGs. It is my deepest hope that this promise is at least matched or even trumped by the Coaltiion. There is still time for more aid announcements and I would love nothing more than for this to be a bipartisan issue.”
What three issues would you like to see a greater focus on in the final few weeks of this election?
“Obviously aid funding, as I think it goes to the heart of Australia’s place in the world and the moral challegne of fighting poverty in our world. I would love to see a greater commitment on climate change; World Vision has called on both major parties to cut at least 20 per cent of our 1990 carbon emissions by 2020. We have also called on both parties to commit to signing the Kyoto Protocol. Finally I would also like to see greater debate and policies around how we can provide greater hope for indigenous communities.”
