Dennis Shanahan is a journalist and the political editor of The Australian. He was one of the speakers at ACL's National Conference, addressing the topic of religious freedom in a secular democracy from a media perspective. Here are some of the highlights from his speech. Click here to listen to his whole speech.

 



Dennis Shanahan is a journalist and the political editor at The Australian. He spoke at the ACL National Conference 2012 about religious freedom in a secular democracy from a media perspective. Click here to listen.

ACL's National Conference - which took place last weekend in Canberra - was the best one yet. Delegates were privileged to have such a high calibre of speakers from which to draw and learn from; Shadow Families Minister Kevin Andrews, former attorney-general Robert McClelland and Professor Greg Craven were amongst other professionals who spoke on the issue of Religious Freedom in a Secular Democracy.



Mr Andrews spoke of the importance of preserving the traditional construct of marriage, in light of his new book entitled 'Maybe, I Do.' He highlighted the successful conclusion of the marriage debate in Parliament and said that most MPs would now take the view that this issue has been settled for some period of time.



Mr McClelland addressed delegates on the deterioration in the quality of political debate, declaring it as "un-Australian". He spoke of the importance of renewing a sense of decency and respect in political circles, and that this is truly what the Australian people want to see from their politicians.



Political editor of The Australian newspaper Dennis Shanahan spoke also on the nature of political journalism and what this means for religious freedom.



Professor Greg Craven, Vice-Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, gave a memorable address in which he explored the historical and cultural challenges that now face freedom of religion in a secular democracy.



For all those who attended, we hope you had a thoroughly enjoyable and engaged time. It was a privilege having you share in this wonderful occasion.



Podcasts of the speakers' addresses will be available on our website shortly for those who were unable to attend.

ACL has received a large amount of media coverage this week as we have responded to a concerted push to legalise euthanasia on a number of fronts.

Please see below for a wrap up of ACL’s coverage in the media since last Thursday.

• On Monday morning at 11 am, ACL Chief of Staff debated euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke on ABC News 24 TV about the Greens’ latest push to legalise euthanasia. Lyle was also interviewed on this topic on Monday night on SBS TV News.  The Eternity newspaper website also posted an article quoting Lyle on euthanasia.


• ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace was quoted in Monday’s Sydney Morning Herald regarding concerns over the Greens’ euthanasia push. He is also quoted in the Australian Conservative  today on this topic, as well as by Christian Today Australia and the Rogers Media Group.


• On Tuesday morning ACL WA Director Michelle Pearse was interviewed by Perth Radio 6PR’s morning/news program about the WA euthanasia bill. Michelle was also quoted on this issue in an Australian Associated Press article on Monday and was interviewed by Sonshine FM Christian News.


• An opinion piece by Michelle Pearse entitled ‘The Good Samaritan assisted the suffering to live, not die’ was posted on the ‘wangle’ opinion website today. Please click here to read it.


• The latest ‘Politics in Focus’ television segment on the Adventist Media Network and other outlets sees Lyle Shelton interviewed by David Gibbons about Opposition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull’s ISP filtering claims and the latest euthanasia push on a number of different fronts. You can view ‘Politics in Focus’ on the front page of this website.


• The topic of euthanasia is under the spotlight in this week’s political spot, following Greens’ Leader Bob Brown’s latest efforts to push for legalised euthanasia. The program (broadcast on Canberra’s 1Way FM and some other Christian stations) features an interview with ACL Chief of Staff Lyle Shelton on this topic and ISP filtering, before crossing to Victoria for an interview with ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward about an upcoming ‘Make it Count Victoria’ event with the Premier and Opposition Leader. Please click here to listen.


• On Monday morning ACL Public Relations Manager Glynis Quinlan was interviewed by Tracy Weare about euthanasia and ISP filtering for Vision Radio Network’s  20-20 program.

It’s been another busy week in terms of media commentary for ACL, particularly on the topic of ISP filtering and also the ongoing media interest in the interaction between faith and politics.



Below is a summary of where ACL has received coverage in the media since last Thursday.

• Last Friday night ACL Chief of Staff Lyle Shelton appeared on the ABC’s Lateline program in support of protecting children on line through ISP-level filtering. Please click here to watch or to read the transcript. Lyle was also interviewed on this topic on ABC radio’s PM program last Friday. ACL has received further coverage on the issue of ISP filtering in the Canberra Times,  industry website ARN,  Australia. To News  and in an opinion piece in The Drum Unleashed (ABC website).


• ACL’s Victorian Director Rob Ward appeared on ABC television’s Stateline Victoria program last Friday night. He was defending religious freedom in the case of a homosexual youth group seeking damages from a Christian campsite which did not wish to rent its facilities to a group that promoted homosexuality to young people. Please click here to watch.


• ACL is referred to in an opinion piece in today’s Canberra Times about faith and politics.


• ACL’s previous comments about Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying she doesn’t believe in God were referred to in an article in Tuesday’s The Australian. Lyle Shelton was also quoted on this issue in the most recent edition of the Sunday Mail (SA).


•  ACL’s comments about community attitudes being likely to turn against abortion if people were better informed about the horrific nature of the practice were reported in last Sunday’s Canberra Times (off-line).


• ACL’s Make it Count event is covered in a front-page article in the July edition of The Advocate newspaper in WA. Click here to go to the paper.


• A picture from ACL’s 2007 Make it Count event was used alongside an article on religion and politics in last Saturday’s The Australian.


• Yesterday ACL WA Director Michelle Pearse was interviewed by Sonshine FM Christian News regarding a court case involving a woman who lost her unborn child after being hit by a car and her desire to see the baby recognised as a life.


• ACL’s Save Our Scripture campaign is referred to in an opinion piece from the National Times which was posted on Tuesday.


• The latest ‘Politics in Focus’ television segment on the Adventist Media Network and other outlets sees Lyle Shelton interviewed about a Senate inquiry looking at tax exemptions and the religious charitable sector, as well as Julia Gillard’s lack of religious belief and her stance on gay marriage. Please go to the front page of the ACL website to view ‘Politics in Focus’.


• This week’s political spot (broadcast on Canberra’s 1Way FM and some other Christian stations) features interviews with anti-euthanasia campaigner Wesley Smith, Alan Baker of Cherish Life Qld on the push for abortion law changes in his state, and ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward on religious freedom.


• On Monday morning Lyle Shelton was interviewed by Tracy Weare for her Vision Radio Network morning program.

Click here to read ACL’s submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts Inquiry into the effectiveness of the broadcasting codes of practice.



Click here to read a supplementary submission to the inquiry.

Click here to read ACL’s submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts Inquiry into the Sexualisation of Children in the Contemporary Media Environment.