The WA Equal Opportunity Commission reports that a complaint was lodged by a homosexual against an entertainment business after the homosexual was organising entertainment for his same-sex civil union. The owner of the business said he personally did not do entertainment for same-sex civil unions, but could recommend someone else who did. The homosexual has been satisfied after the owner apologises and agreed to attend equal opportunity training. For story: http://www.eoc.wa.gov.au/Publications/DiscriminationMattersNewsletter/Complaintsnippets.aspx
The Federal Member of Hasluck, Ken Wyatt, is inviting up to 20 people from different areas of Hasluck to join his Voices of Hasluck Program. These are general meetings to raise issues of importance. To nominate, you must be a resident in the area. Cal 9359 0322 or ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au to register or see page 12, The Examiner Newspaper Feb 3, for more info.
The Australian Christian Lobby has launched the ACL Public Policy Internship Program. The aim is to provide leaders with intensive curriculum surrounding history, theology, law, politics and Australian culture, while also giving them exposure to the three broad areas of Christian engagement in the public sphere – at the policy formation and public influence level (lobbying), at the policy effect level (social welfare) and at the policy decision level (politics). The course will run for a 14 week period. For more details: http://australianchristianlobby.org.au/engaging-culture/acl-public-policy-internship-program/
The West Australian journalist Colleen Egan reported, “Death of an unborn child nothing in eyes of the laws” (Weekend West , Feb 5 p28) that in WA, children are not considered a human being until after they are born.
“It is incomprehensive that this crime victim was not considered a human being” she writes in response to a case where an unborn baby was killed in a car crash but murder or manslaughter charges could not be laid on the culprit. Queensland is said to be the only Aust State that has made it a crime to kill an unborn child. It is estimated that each year 100,000 abortions are carried out in Australia.
For original story about the case or for Egan’s opinion piece see the Weekend West, p 28, Feb 5: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8779342/man-linked-to-two-foetus-deaths/
For an article on the Christian Moral implications of the WikiLeaks Saga see: http://aparchedsoul.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/the-moral-implications-of-the-wikileaks-saga/
The Australian Govt has released legal advice on the Commonwealth’s powers to legislate for reforms to address problem gambling. In a joint press release, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said that the Australian Govt believes more must be done to help problem gamblers and their families. For press release: http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2011/pages/aus_gov_legal_advice_01022011.aspx
For legal advice (1MB): http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2011/Documents/Legal_advice.pdf
The draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Languages paper is available for national public consultation until 7 April 2011.
To read document: http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft+Shape+of+the+Australian+Curriculum+-+Languages+-+FINAL.pdf
The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Geography is available at: http://www.acara.edu.au/geography.html
ACARA is seeking expressions of interest to join the Advisory Panel. EOI close Feb 21, 2011. For more: http://www.acara.edu.au/technologies.html
To read Feb 2011 letter from WA Director Michelle Pearce: http://australianchristianlobby.org.au/wp-content/uploads/acl_wa_newsletter_201102_web.pdf
For letter from Tasmanian ACL director Mark Brown: http://australianchristianlobby.org.au/wp-content/uploads/acl_tas_newsletter_201102_web.pdf