General Information about ACL

Our Vision
Why a Christian lobby group?
How can I become involved?
ACL and Tithing
Organisation of ACL

Our Vision

The vision of the ACL 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.

There is no sense in this vision of our wishing to see Australia a theocracy, but merely wanting to reestablish the rightful influence of those who believe in our Christian heritage.

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.

Why wouldn't a Christian Lobby be effective?

Why a Christian lobby group?

Most Australians and certainly all Christians, have simply had enough of the increasingly rapid erosion of traditional family values and ethics in Australia. We are rightly proud of a country that has built an enviable reputation for tolerance and quality of life and has so much potential.

But we see Australia failing to achieve that potential if the very values on which it is predicated are not upheld. We believe that our success as a nation and a community to date, is largely due to our strong Christian heritage.

However, this heritage and our values are currently being eroded by self-serving interest groups who have achieved unwarranted political influence, largely because of our silence. The ACL aims to break that silence. After all, Christ calls us to be salt and light.

How the ACL operates?

• It aims to reassert the value of the Christian vote by activating the constituency that shares these values.
• Encouraging support for candidates who demonstrate concern for Christian values.
• Lobbying to affect Christian principles in Government and legislation.

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 recently alerted and briefed parliamentarians on industry plans to introduce "R" rated hand held computer games, which was subsequently thwarted. 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 Qld where it has been longer established. Through professionally written submissions, polling, active on the spot lobbying and advertising campaigns, the Lobby has most recently positively influenced the debate on homosexual adoption in the ACT and Tasmania, and so promoted the best interests of the child.

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 business and political parties that you buy and 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 companies 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
• Joining Young ACL

Or by contributing financially. You might like to use the direct-debit system of say $10 per month - Click here to fill in the contribution form.

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 Tithing

ACL relies on the generosity of Christians to perform its work. We also strongly believe in the principle of tithing from our own income. ACL regularly tithes to organisations such as:

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

Organisation of ACL

Identity

The ACL is an incorporated body limited by guarantee. It is a political lobby representing individual Christians and is neither denominationally nor politically aligned.

The Board Members of the Australian Christian Lobby

• Pastor Ric Benson (ACL chairman), Senior Pastor of Kenmore Baptist church and former Chairman of the Qld Baptist Union
• Mr Graham Packer, founder and owner of Packer Leather
• Mr Tony McLellan, Chairman of Habitat Australia, Board Member of Opportunity International and many other Christian and company boards
• Mr John Miller, a founding member of ACL and retired Public Servant
• Jim Wallace AM.

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.
• Consistently maintained a growth rate of 50% annually in membership over its first three years as a national organisation.
• Established a permanent head office situated in Canberra.
• Caused or helped facilitate, policy changes from each of the local to federal levels of Government.

Young ACL

The ACL is committed to youth and views the Young ACL as pivotal to the organisation's future. We are therefore:

• Establishing links to university fellowships.
• Sponsoring internships in politics for tertiary students.
• Equipping Christian youth to influence the nation for good through their vocation or profession.

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 member.
• 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.
• Provides opportunities for Young ACL business internships.
• Provides quality candidates for Young ACL short term political internships.

ACL further details

ACL on Wikipedia

 













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