A delegation from Caritas Australia has presented a petition signed by 1,376 members of the Australian Catholic community and beyond to Susan Templeman MP on behalf of Minister Anne Aly. The pledge calls for urgent action to protect and improve humanitarian access to Gaza, and was handed over in the Mural Hall at Parliament House, accompanied by information on the grave risks posed by Israel’s new NGO registration scheme. 

The petition, titled “Pledge for Life-Saving Aid to Gaza,” has drawn support from community groups, Catholic parishes, and peace advocates across the country. It urges the Australian Government to act swiftly to prevent a catastrophic drop in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where famine conditions are escalating and children are dying from lack of food, clean water, and medical supplies. 

The new registration scheme, set to take effect on 9 September, poses the threat of deregistering international NGOs operating in Gaza, placing further barriers on life-saving assistance. The scheme requires intrusive personal details of humanitarian workers and bans organisations whose staff have spoken out about human rights violations. 

“The starvation crisis in Gaza requires moral leadership from each and every one of us,” said Kirsten Sayers, CEO of Caritas Australia. “In turn, Australians from all walks of life are raising their voices for peace, dignity, and humanitarian access. We cannot stand by while aid is blocked, and lives are lost. We must protect the innocent. The human suffering must stop.” 

The petition follows a joint letter sent on 16 May 2025 by eleven major Australian humanitarian organisations - including Caritas Australia, Save the Children, Plan International Australia, Islamic Relief, and CARE Australia - calling for the same action. 

Caritas Australia, backed by the Australian Catholic community and the wider aid and development sector, is urging Minister Aly to take the concerns to international forums and to publicly call on the Israeli Government to halt the implementation of the new registration process. 

To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal, click the button below or call 1800 024 413 toll free.    

Click Act for Gaza to find more ways to support.