A Call for Generous Love

 

Government spending affects all Australian residents, and in times of financial hardship at home, it can be tempting to forget our global neighbours – those in the Pacific, Asia, African and the Middle-East who face the threat of violence, famine and the brunt of the climate crisis.   

Engaging with politics and government can be difficult and divisive for most – and last May’s Federal Budget is no exception. Policy matters will always require wisdom and clarity, but for Christians, it also requires God’s most important commandment – love.

As part of the Baptist family, we are grateful to Baptist World Aid’s leadership on this issue. As an ACFID accredited agency, they graciously and persistently steward resources to provide material aid to God’s children worldwide. We therefore welcome, and take seriously, the response from Baptist World Aid on the Federal Budget (which we encourage you to read in full here – https://baptistworldaid.org.au/2024/05/17/2024-budget/)

As Mike Bartlett, Baptist World Aid’s Advocacy Policy Manager, writes, “Australia remains one of the least generous countries in the world per capita among developed nations” – with Australia’s foreign aid giving expected to drop from 0.19% of Gross National Income (already our record low), down to 0.14% by 2036.

Despite some stabilisation of our nation’s giving and new support for combating climate change, Australia’s aid remains dangerously low, and not a true reflection of the generosity this nation is capable of. 

In the face of an increasingly politically, ecologically and economically unstable world, Australia can show leadership and do more.

So, let us lead with love.

Jesus calls us to love our neighbour – and one way we can rise to the challenge is by speaking up, and using our voice as advocates.

Micah Australia, a Christian advocacy movement of which Baptist World Aid is a proud member, has initiated a campaign called A Safer World for All. Their call is to raise our aid budget from 0.19% to 0.37% by 2027 – a sensible, achievable action from our government that would make a tangible difference in our world.

By lending your voice today, you can show that Australia’s Christian community remains committed to showing love and compassion to our neighbours that need it most, and believe that our foreign aid budget can and should reflect that commitment. 

Add your voice today – https://baptistworldaid.org.au/safer-world-for-all/

Author Theo Doraisamy is a member of the Baptist Advocacy Roundtable and the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Network, a joint initiative between Micah Australia and the Pacific Conference of Churches. He is a secondary teacher in his day job.

For more information about Baptist World Aid in Western Australia, please contact ed.devine@baptistworldaid.org.au