$1 billion cut to foreign aid

#1083 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 7 June 2015

Many Australians were shocked to learn that last month’s federal budget cut ‪Australia’s foreign aid spending by $1 billion.

As the Christian charity TEAR Australia observes, our aid budget is on track to being the least generous ever.

If the character of a nation is defined by how it treats the poor and vulnerable, then this does not say much for who we are. So how do we respond? We turn to God in prayer and we put our faith into action…

Where there are cuts to aid, let me give generously; Where growth is king and consumption all, let me treasure simplicity; Where our planet suffers to breaking point, let me defend God’s creation; Where there is slogan, sound byte and spin doctoring, let me speak truth; Where leaders are led by opinion polls, let me fix my eyes on God; Where there is voter cynicism and apathy, let me take action to overcome.

Amen. I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.