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Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - "The success of a nation is not measured by the wealth of a few, but by the prosperity of all. Sometimes, the leaders of various Australian political parties have referred to values that speak of a culture of inclusion, support and equality. For too many Australians, these values are a hope, not reality. Despite the many achievements of our country, the protection of the dignity of every Australian is not among them. We urge citizens to use their votes to entrust the next mandate to politicians who are committed to the implementation of fair and just social and economic measures, to improve the lives of the weakest and to protect the dignity of all Australians".
This is what was reported by Catholic Social Services Australia, in a note sent to Agenzia Fides, on the institution for social services of the Catholic Church in Australia, in view of the upcoming election, May 18th.
The document, containing a discussion on the conditions of the different sectors of society, emphasizes that the action of politicians will have to focus on four points: access to adequate income and welfare services for poor and vulnerable families; a work guarantee program that leads to full employment; the empowerment and self-determination of the natives, through collaboration and a true partnership with the aboriginal populations and of Torres Strait Islander, for a progressive constitutional recognition; the reintegration of all the refugees remaining on the islands of Manus and Nauru (see Fides, 19/12/2018).
In recent weeks, many representatives of the Catholic world have spoken out about the next electoral round, asking candidates to pay attention to the weakest: recently, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, ACSJC asked for answers to social issues left unattended for years, while Catholic Health Australia, the Catholic non-governmental network of active healthcare services in Australia, called for emphasis on the needs of the elderly.
Australian citizens will be called to the polls on May 18, after the mistrust received in August 2018 in Parliament from the former Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull, replaced with economy minister Scott Morrison. (LF) (Agenzia Fides, 30/4/2019)
