Protesters with large imitation clocks conveyed a timely message outside Treasurer Scott Morrison’s Cronulla mall electorate office today.
They called on the federal government to “stop the clock” on further cuts to foreign aid.
They said a scheduled $224 million cut in next month’s federal budget would reduce Australia’s aid budget to its lowest ever level and make it one of the least generous developed countries in the world.
The highlight of the event was the arrival of an impersonator of “the Doc” from the Back to the Future series in a look-alike DeLorean time machine car.
The protest was organised by Campaign for Australian Aid, Micah Australia, TEAR Australia and Baptist World Aid.
Micah Australia’s national coordinator, Ben Thurley said aid organisations and 1.59 million supporters wanted the government to reverse the final scheduled $224 million cut to the aid budget.
“We’ve had a bit of fun here today, but the reality is much more serious,” he said.
“If we want to stop our nation becoming the least generous we’ve ever been, our time is running out.”
Mr Thurley said the budget cut would mean fewer children in poorer countries would be vaccinated and enrolled in school, fewer people would have access to safe water and there would be less life-saving assistance for vulnerable men, women and children in conflict and crisis situations.
The Leader has sought a comment from Mr Morrison.
