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.



 



Children & Family

Australia has fourth highest rate of children living in jobless families in OECD, report shows

Emily Bourke - ABC

One of Australia's leading and oldest charities has painted a bleak picture of disadvantage among Australian children.

Drugs & Alcohol

Grieving Perth father wants life in jail for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht

Conor Duffy - ABC

The father of a boy who died after taking drugs purchased on the Silk Road website says the site's founder is culpable in his son's death and should spend the rest of his life in jail.

Euthanasia

Depression, disability and 'safe' euthanasia

Hannah Graham - The Advocate

Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved, issues of mental illness and disability need to be given careful thought in considering whether to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in Tasmania. In the few jurisdictions where it is legal, there is evidence that people with mental illnesses and disabilities have been euthanased or assisted to end their lives, despite the presence of 'safeguards.'

Belgium ponders child euthanasia

Bojan Pancevski - The Times

Belgian MPs will this week debate a sweeping new bill that would extend the country's liberal medical mercy-killing laws to include children and dementia sufferers. Euthanasia on the grounds of "unbearable ps ychological or physical suffering" has been legal in Belgium since 2002, but a broad coalition of parties is drafting legislation that would extend the provision to children and those suffering from dementia or other "diseases of the brain".

Marriage

Tasmania to try for marriage equality again

Serkan Ozturk - Star observer

Tasmanian politicians may once again attempt to legislate for marriage equality later this year, after a vote on the reform last September narrowly failed to pass the state’s Upper House. The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has also voiced its opposition, with the ACL’s Tasmanian director, Mark Brown, saying it was “legislation by fatigue” and voters wanted to move on.

Archbishop questions gay motion wording

The West Australian

The Anglican Archbishop of Perth has hinted that he will reject a proposal to recognise same-sex relationships within his diocese. The Reverend Chris Bedding of the Darlington-Bellevue Anglican parish put forward the resolution to the church's synod last year. It was backed by the synod but vetoed by the Archbishop.

Scots atheist calls for polygamous marriage

Christian Institute

People in polygamous relationships should be free to marry more than one partner “without interference”, a representative from Atheist Scotland has said. Writing to The Scotsman newspaper, Ian Stewart said the right to have more than one spouse is a “matter of equality”.

Politics

Papua 'stunt' angers senator

David Wroe - The Examiner

The Abbott government has imperilled its future relationship with key crossbench senator John Madigan - whose vote it may need to pass legislation - by its handling of the West Papua protest in Bali.

Prostitution & Sex Trafficking

Swedish Christian rescues women from sex trafficking

William Bagsby - Chrisma News

In Stockholm, women from around the world are finding real love that frees them from the sex that once enslaved them. After listening to each other’s stories of rescue from the hushed world of sex trafficking, tears fill the eyes of everyone in the room, and joy is experienced for the first time.

Refugees

Tony Abbott offers 'act of contrition' to Malaysia over asylum seeker criticism

Mark Kenny, Michael Bachelard - SMH

Tony Abbott has apologised to an Asian leader for the second time in a week over his robust political campaigning before he was elected, offering an "act of contrition" for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Religious Freedom & Persecution

Vatican analyst warns of "Global War" against Christians

Carl Bunderson - CNA

Veteran Catholic journalist John Allen Jr. reveals massive scope of worldwide Christian persecution and suggests practical ways to do something about it.

UK: Christian B&B owners who banned a gay couple go back to court

David Mercer - Western Morning News

The Christian owners of a guesthouse who refused to allow a gay couple to stay in a double-bedded room have said they want to avoid a “collision” between two different lifestyles as they prepare to take their case to the Supreme Court. Peter and Hazelmary Bull have put the Chymorvah Hotel in Marazion, Cornwall, up for sale following the controversy and have reportedly been the victims of vandalism and death threats.

Other

Indonesia taking us to the cleaners through NT land purchases

Brendan O'Reilly - On Line Opinion

Indonesia's Japfa Group (headed by billionaire Handoja Santosa) is the biggest importer of Australian live cattle, and is also Asia's biggest beef breeder. Last week Japfa announced its purchase of "Riveren" and "Inverway" stations for a figure reported to be over $35 million.