About

The ACL Vision

The vision of the Australian Christian Lobby is to see Christian principles and ethics accepted and influencing the way we are governed, do business and relate to each other as a community.

The ACL aims to foster a more compassionate, just and moral society by seeking to have the positive public contributions of the Christian faith reflected in the political life of the nation.

The ACL, established in 1995, operates in the Federal Parliament, and in all the state and territory parliaments, and is neither party partisan nor denominationally-aligned.

The ACL does not seek to be the peak political voice for the church, but to be a professional witness to Christ in the Australian Parliaments which allows for the voice of the church and individual Christians to be more respectfully received in the public square.

Recent ACL achievements

• Played a leading role in the successful campaign against a national Charter of Rights – ensuring a win for religious freedom and the integrity of our democracy.
• Achieved the principle in policy that the ‘worst of the worst’ pornography be filtered from the internet.
• Contributed substantially to the extension of funding for school chaplains, announced by the PM at the 2009 ACL National Conference.
• Helped uphold religious freedom in Victoria, contributing to the Government overturning laws to strip freedom of choice in employment from Christian schools, charities and churches.
• Upheld the dignity of human life by playing a key role in defeating euthanasia bills in Tasmania and Victoria.
• Hosted the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader addressing Christians at ‘2010 Make it Count’.

Do you know?

• That 12.7 million, or 64% of Australians declared themselves as Christians in the 2006 ABS Census.
• That over 2 million Australians attend a place of worship every Sunday.
• That there are large numbers of Christian politicians at all levels of Government who value your prayers and support.

ACL offers you

• A credible Christian voice into the corridors of power.
• The campaign tools to influence policy and legislation.
• Regular news on issues of concern to Christians through the blog on this website, our weekly E-news or monthly hard-copy newsletter.
• Partnership with a credible Christian voice based on a Biblical worldview, balanced research and expert advice.
• The opportunity to hear from political leaders via election webcasts and ‘Meet Your Candidates Forums’ to inform your vote.

ACL in action

ACL is positioned where it can make a difference. We have excellent relationships and credibility with those who make our laws and we always balance truth and justice with a spirit of grace and compassion.

Operating principles

• To concentrate on strategic issues with strategic effect.
• To be non-party partisan but critical when necessary.
• To seek both justice and righteousness in public policy.
• To promote Biblical concepts in relevant contemporary language.
• To seek excellence, professionalism and integrity.
• To maintain public credibility and strong relationships.
• To regularly seek God in prayer.

How the ACL operates

• We assert the value of the Christian vote by activating the constituency that shares these values.
• We encourage support for candidates who demonstrate concern for Christian values, whatever their political affiliation.
• We lobby to affect Christian principles in Government and legislation.
• We work with youth and business to help train and position tomorrow’s leaders.

But is it effective?

• Federal Government
  The ACL has cooperated closely with other organisations to help turn the tide on issues such as euthanasia in our Federal Parliament. It has briefed parliamentarians on industry plans to introduce “R” rated computer games. It maintains close liaison with staff and politicians to identify opportunities to advance Christian positions through legislation and makes regular submissions to parliamentary inquiries.
• State Government
  The ACL has an increasing influence and credibility in state parliaments as it grows its state executives and runs Meet Your Candidate Forums during elections. It has had significant influence in the ACT and Queensland where it has been longer established. Through professionally written submissions, active on the spot lobbying and advertising campaigns, the Lobby has recently positively influenced the debates on surrogacy, euthanasia and prostitution in the state parliaments.
• Local Government
  The ACL has had great success at this level of government, often working with local churches in fighting the placement of brothels, offensive advertising and in one case a plan for a by-law to prohibit preaching in parks. Many issues of concern to Christians are decided at this level of government and the combination of the Church, the ACL and the local state or federal member can be decisive.

ACL will

• Keep you informed.
• Make representations to government and industry.
• Coordinate lobbying.

How can I become involved?

There are many ways in which you can be a part of the ACL Team.

First register with the ACL by filling out the secure Registration Form – that makes you the most important part of the team – someone who has registered support for Christian values, and is prepared to tell politics parties that you vote.

You can be even more effective, if you can assist in any of the following ways, which you can indicate by sending an email to us:

• Joining our nationwide prayer network.
• Joining our Alert Team, to be prepared to write to politicians or media outlets as needed to change or support their policies.
• Inviting a speaker from ACL to address your church, group or organisation.

Providing volunteer services in:

• Office support.
• Research assistance.
• Other professional skills.
• Being a Church Representative.

Or by contributing financially.

One vote might not change much, but together the Christian community is one of the largest voter groups in Australia! As Christians we can use our vote to promote Godly and family values in Australia today. ACL urges you to believe that your vote can make a difference!

ACL and giving

ACL relies on the generosity of Christians to perform its work. ACL regularly provides support to organisations such as:

• Fatherhood Foundation
• Linda’s House of Hope
• AIDS Hope for Africa
• Jesus: All About Life

An organisation growing in size and influence

As evidence of its growth over just the last few years ACL has:

• Positioned itself as one of the premier political lobbies in the country.
• Established effective political relationships in both state and federal governments.
• Established a permanent head office situated in Canberra.
• Caused or helped facilitate, policy changes from each of the local to federal levels of Government.

ACL and the church

The ACL is not presuming to be a peak body for the Church, but aims instead to provide a professional Christian presence into government that can both forewarn and forearm the Church, as it brings its influence to bear on government policy.

Specifically the ACL aims to benefit the Church by:

• Promoting the relevance of Christian values in public policy.
• Encouraging an ethical environment in state and federal parliaments.
• Highlighting the potential political power of the Christian constituency.
• Identifying and supporting candidates and politicians with Christian values, regardless of party.
• Keeping the Church informed of future Government policy and legislative changes.

In order to achieve this the ACL seeks from Churches a ministry partnership that:

• Encourages its people to join the ACL.
• Supports the ACL through subscribing as a supporter.
• Assigns an ACL Church Representative.
• Shares in the vision of the ACL.

ACL and business

The ACL benefits business by promoting Christian ethics in the community and within government. The ACL assists to equip future businessmen and women to better impact the marketplace for Christ through greater political awareness.

Specifically the ACL aims to benefit business by:

• Championing legislation that builds an ethical business environment.
• When consistent with the ACL’s purpose, facilitating introductions to politicians.
• Providing potential executives and small businessmen and women practical experience in, and a deeper understanding, of politics.

In order to achieve this the ACL seeks from business a ministry partnership that:

• Provides professional business and legal advice to ACL.
• Supports the ACL financially to achieve its goals.

Legal information

The Australian Christian Lobby does not necessarily endorse the views held by contributors, comment providers, or by authors of linked websites. Material is provided for your information to assist you in forming your own opinion. The Australian Christian Lobby encourages its supporters, and readers of its website, to research the issues raised.

The Australian Christian Lobby website may occasionally contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorised by the copyright owner. The Australian Christian Lobby makes such material available in its effort to better advance the understanding of the issues in which it is involved. The Australian Christian Lobby believes this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material.

This website and all information (including but not limited to text, graphics and other multimedia resources) remain the property of the Australian Christian Lobby, except where acknowledged/used under license.
Your comments, including a working email address, are welcome, however:

• Comments should be brief, polite and constructive.
• Comments which are inappropriate or defamatory will be rejected.
• Comments will not necessarily be published.

Online Payment Gateway Merchant Facility Policy

• General
  The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) wants to provide the best possible service to our supporters and customers who use our online payment gateway merchant facility (either purchasing products or paying for ACL related events). The following information is the ACL policy related to this area and also provides contact details if you have any questions or concerns.
• Currency
  All transactions are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD).
• Refund Policy
  Please choose our products carefully. We do not normally give refunds if you simply change your mind or make a wrong decision. You can choose between a refund, exchange or credit where goods are faulty, have been wrongly described, are different to the product purchased on the website or does not do what it is supposed to do. In regards to payments for ACL related events the specific event will clearly outline the refund policy. The default policy, however, unless stated otherwise, is that a full refund will be issued if cancelled at least 1 week before the event. A 50% refund will be issued if cancelled at least 24 hours to 1 week before the event. A refund will not be issued if cancelled within 24hrs of the event. No administrative charges will apply.
• Contact
  Details available here.

Privacy Policy

The ACL is dedicated to keeping your details private. Any information, we collect in relation to you, is kept strictly secured.

Whenever you use our web site, or any other web site, the computer on which the web pages are stored (the webserver) needs to know the network address of your computer so that it can send the requested web pages back to your Internet browser. When you connect to the Internet your Internet Service Provider allocates you an ‘IP’ address which identifies your internet connection. From this IP address (and a couple of other details) it is possible to determine the general geographic location of your connection to the Internet. This IP address is automatically sent to ACL when you connect to the ACL website. However, your identity details are not provided with this IP address.

We record IP addresses and other network information for statistical purposes only. We only link IP address details to information about yourself when you specifically provide personal details to ACL.

Security Policy

When purchasing from ACL your financial details are passed through a secure server using the latest 256-bit SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption technology. 256-bit SSL encryption is the industry standard (as at 1 October 2010). If you have any questions regarding our security policy, please contact our National Chief of Staff at the ACL National Office on 02 6259 0431.