MEDIA RELEASE



For release: Saturday March 15, 2014



The Australian Christian Lobby has congratulated the Liberal Party on its resounding win in the Tasmanian election and looks forward to working constructively with the new government.



ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said the enormous amount of time the State Parliament spent debating contentious social issues such as same-sex marriage (twice), abortion and euthanasia had proven unattractive to mainstream voters.



Mr Brown said Christian voters had also been disappointed with the lack of engagement by Labor during the election campaign.



Premier-elect Will Hodgman and a large number of his candidates had participated in ACL election activities.



Mr Hodgman had participated in an election interview where he committed to amend anti-discrimination laws to provide a general exemption to Christian schools when it comes to enrolling students and hiring staff.



“This was a welcome announcement which means Christian schools will be able to enrol students and employ staff who share the ethos and values of the school without being in breach of anti-discrimination laws,” he said.



Mr Brown said the ALP’s lack of engagement with the Christian community may well have contributed to its election loss.



“Only one sitting Labor MP participated in the five Meet Your Candidate Forums conducted by the lobby throughout the state. This was in comparison with seven sitting Liberal MPs and three sitting Greens MPs who attended,” he said.



“The ALP’s poor result should make for some serious soul searching regarding the future direction of the party. Many Tasmanian Christian Labor voters were disappointed with the party’s lack of engagement with the constituency,” Mr Brown said.



Mr Brown said it was time for Labor to move back to the political centre to ensure its appeal to mainstream Tasmanians.



The disproportionate amount of time spent working with the Greens on a radical social reform agenda at the expense of front and centre issues like jobs and the economy has contributed significantly to tonight’s result. This sentiment was confirmed by former ALP Premier Paul Lennon who on last night’s ABC 7.30 Report stated “it was the preoccupation with the social issues in Parliament rather than the basic issues of health and education and job development”.



Mr Brown said Labor had much to commend to Christian voters and he hoped it would not give up on this constituency as it sought to rebuild.



“Labor has proud historical roots in Christianity amongst Irish Catholic workers and Protestant Methodists who were at the forefront of the creation of the trade union movement. The ALP in its rebuilding process should not ignore these important foundations and ensure its appeal encompasses the large Tasmanian Christian constituency,” he said.

MEDIA RELEASE



Monday, 24th February 2014



ACL has released an exclusive video interview with Tasmanian Liberal Leader Will Hodgman about his position on issues of concern to Christians in the lead up to the state election.



ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said Labor Premier Lara Giddings declined the opportunity to be interviewed but has said she would supply a written response to the questions.



Mr Brown said the 20 minute interview is available to watch on www.tasvotes.org.au.



“Mr Hodgman gives his position on a number of issues including unemployment, education, abortion, marriage, anti-discrimination, gambling, sexualisation of society and health,” he said.



If elected in March, Mr Hodgman gave an undertaking to amend anti-discrimination legislation to allow for a general exemption so faith-based schools would have the freedom to select staff and students who shared their ethos.



“On the issue of abortion, Mr Hodgman has indicated his concern at the legislation passed late last year which infringed on a doctor’s right to freedom of conscience,” Mr Brown said.



Mr Brown said ACL was providing opportunities for Christians to make an informed vote this election with its Strong Economy, Strong Communities Breakfast event tomorrow and Meet Your Candidate Forums being held around the state over the next two weeks.   



“Tomorrow’s business breakfast will discuss the importance of a strong Tasmanian economy to strong Tasmanian families and communities with economist Professor Ian Harper, local innovator and business strategist Professor Jonathan West, and Mission Australia’s Noel Mundy,” he said.



“The five Meet Your Candidate Forums provide an opportunity for people to meet their local candidates and understand the values and ideas that they’ll bring to the job if elected,” he said.



The website also has a conscience vote history table of current sitting MPs showing how they voted on issues including surrogacy, marriage, adoption, abortion and euthanasia legislation in the past three years.



Mr Brown said the majority of Tasmanians identify themselves as being of the Christian faith.



“Elections are a good time for Christians to positively influence society through electing people of good character who share their desire to see a more moral, just and compassionate society,” he said.



Mr Hodgman’s interview and other election resources are available at www.tasvotes.org.au.

MEDIA RELEASE



For release: Wednesday December 11, 2013



The Australian Christian Lobby has expressed disappointment that federal parliament looks set to repeal the Gillard Government’s modest poker-machine reforms.



ACL’s Managing Director Lyle Shelton said legislation introduced by the Coalition last week to repeal the 2012 legislation looks set to be supported by Labor in the senate.



“We can’t ignore the harm of poker-machines and the fact that there are 95,000 problem gamblers addicted to poker machines. Leadership is needed from both sides of politics,” he said.



“The reforms introduced by the Gillard Government were modest and a step in the right direction,” Mr Shelton said.



“The reforms included a trial to be conducted in the ACT of mandatory pre-commitment technology before the switch could be flicked on machines at a later date. ATM’s at gaming venues were to be limited to $250 limits and a national gambling regulator was to be established,” he said.



Mr Shelton said it was unclear how the Coalition would tackle the problem gambling issue with the power of the clubs lobby and state government addiction to gambling revenue.



“Social services minister Kevin Andrews has foreshadowed reforms in the future that would include more counselling for problem gamblers. This is welcome but it is widely accepted that tougher measures to limit losses such as mandatory pre-commitment or limiting machines to $1 bets are what is needed to help addicts,” he said.



“There is enormous impact on the community from problem gambling. Problem gambling can ruin families, harm children, cause gamblers to lose their jobs and homes and can affect their health,” he said.

This year's March for the Babies will be held on Saturday 12th October.



The March has been held each year in Victoria since 2009, and is in response to the Abortion Law Reform Act passed in 2008 in Victoria, which makes abortion available for any reason up to 24 weeks. After that time a woman can obtain an abortion if two doctors agree – the reasons that can be used not only cover life and health issues – they include “social circumstances” as well.



Last year, over 3,500 people marched through the Melbourne CBD calling for a change of culture for the unborn and a repeal of the Victorian legislation, considered to be one of the most extreme abortion laws in the Western world.



If you are in Victoria, we encourage you to join in the March for the Babies this October.



Details:



When: Saturday 12th October 2013



Time: 1pm



Where: meet at Treasury Gardens, corner of Spring Street and Wellington Parade, Melbourne



Wear: pink and blue



For more information, please visit the official March for the Babies website.

The Tasmanian Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne has released a draft bill to move abortion out of the Criminal Code, making it equivalent to any other surgical procedure.



The proposed Reproductive Health Bill seeks to follow Victoria's 2008 lead in decriminalising abortion for any reason up until 24 weeks.



The legislation would also effectively criminalise pro-life counselling by imposing significant penalties for doctors and counsellors who are unwilling to refer women to pro-abortion service providers, as well as penalising any kind of protest within 150 metres of an abortion clinic.



Decriminalising abortion could, as has been the case in Victoria, lead to more abortions and in particular more late term abortions.



A recent Galaxy poll of 300 respondents (aged 16-49), commissioned by Emily's Voice, found that Tasmanians are opposed (73%) to late-term abortions (after 20 weeks), when the child has mild disabilities (59%), for the purposes of sex selection (92%), when continuing a pregnancy would cause financial hardship (66%), affect the mother's career (79%), or when parents feel they have enough children (63%) [1]



We encourage you to get on board with ACL's 'Make a Stand' campaign against abortion in Tasmania by writing a submission to the public consultation.



Submissions can be sent via email to public.health@dhhs.tas.gov.au.



Alternatively, mail your submission to:



Population Health Equity



GPO Box 125, Hobart TAS 7001 



Submissions are due by 5pm Friday 5 April 2013 (an extension on previous submission date of 22/3/13).



Visit ACL's 'Make a Stand' campaign page for more information on what you can say in your submission, and for more resources.



 

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After a dramatic day in Victorian politics, the Hon. Dr Denis Napthine was installed as Premier last night at Government House.



The new Premier now leads the Victorian Government with a majority of 44 to 43, relying on the vote of the now Independent MP Geoff Shaw to pass legislation, including supply.



The Australian Christian Lobby maintains strong bi-partisan relationships with politicians in Victoria and will continue to engage with Members of Parliament to advance issues for the Christian constituency in this new landscape.



The Victorian Director, Dan Flynn, has today written to former Premier Ted Baillieu acknowledging his substantial contribution to Victoria as Premier. ACL enjoyed a good relationship with Ted Baillieu who addressed the Make it Count Forum ahead of the 2010 Election.



Similarly, we look forward to working with Premier Napthine on issues important to the Christian constituency.



The issue of moderating the provisions of the Abortion Law Reform Act 2008 to reduce the number of abortions in Victoria, and better reflect public consensus, continues to be a concern for Victorian Christians.

Last week the US Supreme Court announced it would hear two cases next year relating to same-sex marriage.



The main case concerns the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a voter initiative in California that banned gay marriage. In June 2008, same-sex couples were granted a license to marry after a Californian Supreme Court ruled that they have a constitutional right to marry. This decision was overturned after more than one million signatures were received in a petition to see the fulfilment of Proposition 8.



The second case relates to entitlements - whether a couple is recognised when it comes to tax laws, health insurance and other federal benefits for spouses. The situation is different to here in Australia where laws were changed in 2008 to remove discrimination from same-sex couples when it came to tax, health, superannuation and other benefits.



The New York Times has advocated for same-sex marriage but a recent article published by the newspaper raises doubts about whether the time is right for such a case. The cases will be argued in March with a decision expected in June.



ACL's Chief-of-Staff Lyle Shelton was recently interviewed on the ACL's Political Spot radio program on the Supreme Court's decision to hear the cases on gay marriage. Listen to his thoughts here.

In response to a question in the Senate this week, Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr referenced the government's recent pledge to increase to $50 million per year the amount of aid money for ‘family planning’ in third world countries, doubling the amount it gave in 2010.



ACL does not believe aborting babies is the answer to dealing with problems of maternal and child health in developing countries. Providing abortion services would be a failure of the government to properly support women and children in dire circumstances, and ACL is disappointed in Queensland Labor Senator Claire Moore's continual push of abortion as the answer. In an effort to reduce these problems, greater funding should be given to health support services, including improving birthing facilities and providing more midwives and doctors. This would save lives of women without having to abort their babies.



Senator Carr also announced this week that Australia will provide up to $70 million to the UN's Population Fund over the next four years, appears to be a better use of taxpayers’ money. This money is targeted at training midwives and doctors in remote areas of countries like Cambodia.



Soon after assuming Government, Labor over-turned the Howard Government’s long-standing ban on using overseas aid money for abortion. Sadly, the share of money going to abortion seems to be growing.



Click here to read Senator Carr’s comments to the Parliament.

MEDIA RELEASE



For release: Tuesday, November 27, 2012



South Australian Labor MLAs should be granted a conscience vote on a bill that proposes to introduce euthanasia by stealth, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.



ACL spokesman Dan Flynn said it had always been Labor’s policy to grant a conscience vote on life issues.



“This bill certainly brings about euthanasia by stealth, despite the SA parliament’s recent rejection of a euthanasia bill,” Mr Flynn said.



This month, the Advanced Care Directive Bill 2012 passed the House of Assembly as Labor-sponsored legislation introduced by Health Minister John Hill.



The bill makes binding any statement in an Advanced Care Directive for the withdrawal or withholding of health care, including nutrition and hydration.



“Given that this bill introduces euthanasia by omission, it should be the subject of a conscience vote before the South Australian Upper House, in accordance with Labor’s express policy on euthanasia votes,” Mr Flynn said.



Paul Russell of HOPE: Preventing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide has described the proposed legislation as a “euthanasia Trojan horse.”



“Actions or omissions with the intent to kill or the intent that the patient dies are either acts of euthanasia or assisted suicide,” Mr Russell said.



ACL calls for the referral of the legislation to a Committee for public submissions before it is rushed through Parliament.



 

MEDIA RELEASE



For release: Friday, October 19, 2012



The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is calling on the Northern Territory (NT) government to reject legalising the chemical abortion pill RU486 because of the dangerous health risks it poses to women and unborn babies.



ACL spokeswoman Wendy Francis has expressed concern that those pushing for RU 486 in the Territory have not considered the health impacts.



“I encourage the NT government to consider the response of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to the Senate on the harm it has already caused to hundreds of women before it makes a judgement on whether to legalise the pill,” Ms Francis said.



In response to a question by Queensland Senator Ron Boswell during Senate Estimates earlier this year, the TGA said that since the drug was approved under the Authorised Provider Scheme in April 2006, there had been 832 reports of “adverse events” to women prescribed the drug.



Of the 832 women, 599 required surgery to remove the poisoned embryo after the failure of the drug to induce a miscarriage.



Ms Francis said tragically Australia had now recorded its first death of a woman who had been prescribed RU 486.



“Amazingly there has been no coronial investigation into this death and the NT Government should make no consideration to legalise the pill until this has occurred,” Ms Francis said.



“Women facing unsupported pregnancies should not be given a dangerous chemical to poison their unborn child and perhaps them – they should be offered real choices, including the option of support for keeping their unborn child,” Ms Francis said.