ACL compiles a daily media monitoring service of stories of interest to the Christian constituency relating to children, family, drugs and alcohol, marriage, human rights, religious freedom etc. Visit the ACL’s website each day to see what’s of interest in the news. Please note that selection of the articles does not represent ACL endorsement of the content.
Abortion'We won't politicise issues like abortion'Joe Kelly – The AustralianTony Abbott has declared that Australia should not go down the same path as America by politicising abortion, after one of his candidates said she did not resile from her previous criticism of his views on the subject.
Women having late abortions told to 'apply for Centrelink baby benefits'Natasha Bita - The AdvertiserSA Health has advised women having late-term abortions they can claim thousands of dollars in Centrelink payments for a "stillborn'' baby.
850,000 People Tell European Parliament: Protect Human Life From ConceptionStefano Gennarini - Life NewsEurope’s most audacious effort to protect life is a few thousand signatures away from forcing the European Parliament to schedule a debate on protecting every human life from conception. The “One of Us” petition got a boost in May when Pope Francis endorsed it.
Children & Family
First home buyers: the forgotten peopleRoss Elliott - On Line OpinionSir Robert Menzies wrote his speech 'the forgotten people' about middle class Australia in 1942. Much of it remains relevant today, especially for the generation of new housing buyers who seem increasingly disregarded in public policy debates.
Education
Premier Colin Barnett forecasts school closures as 500 public education jobs are cutAAPWestern Australia's harsh budget reality has seen Premier Colin Barnett admit schools in Perth could be closed to save money, on the same day as 500 education staff were told they would lose their jobs.
Environment
How Australia's big wet befuddled scientistsPeter Hannam - Canberra TimesSo how wet was Australia in 2010 and 2011? Wet enough, it turns out, to reverse the climb of global sea levels in a temporary shift that baffled scientists.
Euthanasia
World Medical Association Reaffirms Its Strong Opposition to EuthanasiaPeter Saunders - Life NewsThe World Medical Association has reiterated its strong opposition to euthanasia.
GamblingFake Armaguard robber pleads guilty and weeps as she awaits son's sentenceHerald SunA mother who dressed as an Armaguard cash guard and tried to steal money from two banks has wept in court as her son - who was involved in similar crimes - was remanded in custody to await sentence. Mr Ellwood said Tina’s gambling patterns at Crown revealed her buy-in amounts had significantly increased after the $440,000 bank job in April.
Marriage
Redefining marriage in NZ: lessons for OzMercator NetSame-sex marriage is not inevitable, no matter what its supporters say.
Politics
Labor to launch campaign on Sept 1ABCThe major parties are attacking each other over whose television advertisements are more negative as the federal election campaign enters its third week.
Peter Slipper, priest, altar boy, seeks to woo church voteAPN NewsdeskControversial Sunshine Coast MP Peter Slipper sought to woo the church vote last night talking fondly of his days as an altar boy. The once ordained Anglican priest spoke at length about the importance of Christian values at an Australian Christian Lobby candidates' forum at the KawanaLife Baptist Church.
Refugees
PNG policy working despite more boats: BurkeJames Robertson & Judith Ireland - The AgeImmigration Minister Tony Burke says the government's PNG resettlement policy is working, despite recent boat arrivals including one in which five people are believed to have drowned on Tuesday.
Asylum tide swamping solutionPeter Alford & Paul Maley - The AustralianKevin Rudd's plans to halt the influx of asylum-seekers are buckling under the weight of nearly 3000 new boat arrivals and the failure of his regional people-smuggling summit to produce any concrete measures, as another five people drowned off Christmas Island.
Religious Freedom & Persecution
‘A ruthless campaign of religious cleansing in Egypt’Sheila Liaugminas - Mercator NetIt’s about Islamic purification, and it’s about time for world leaders and media to address it.
Coptic Christians Make an 'Easy Target' in Egypt's UnrestPBSWhile thousands of Egyptians in Cairo rejoiced over President Mohammed Morsi's overthrow in July, others were concerned about possible reprisals against the country's minority Coptic Christians.
Remnants of unity left to smoulder in Egypt's Coptic churchesRuth Pollard Canberra TimesA lone worshipper stands in the blackened ruins of the El Amir Tadros Church, quietly weeping at the destruction around her. Children's Bibles lie in a charred pile at the entrance, while inside, exploded glass, wood and tiles crunch underfoot.