The March 2013 newsletter from ACL is available to read.
Gleanings aims to equip the Australian Christian with the knowledge and tools necessary to live as a light and salt in the Australian social and political spheres.
The ACL reports that Australian filmmaker Don Parham has released a short documentary on abortion entitled The Choice. The Choice interviews six individuals – five women and one man – about their own experiences of abortion. It delves into the complex issues surrounding abortion and gives an honest and non-judgemental perspective of the associated difficulties. For more and for info on how to purchase the DVD click here.
Australian cinemas will soon be releasing a new film, Trade of Innocents starring Dermot Mulroney and Mira Sorvino, which focuses on the worldwide problem of human trafficking, reports the ACL in its weekly enews.
The Australian Christian Lobby reports that the Tasmanian Govt’s Children’s Minister Michelle O’Byrne has tabled changes to the Adoption Act that would allow unmarried and homosexual couples to adopt children given up by their biological parents. The ACL has urged the Tasmanian Govt to reject the changes. O’Byrne is part of Emily’s List, which promotes and supports abortion.
For ACL story click here.
Dear Readers,
The battle front continues to be in Tasmania this month. See submissions/petitions for ways to get involved. I am informed that you do not need to live in Tasmania to let your views be known on the proposed laws. On what is occurring in Tasmania the Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton had this to say in the latest ACL enews: “With less than 12 months to the next election, the Labor-Green Government there seems bent on deconstructing the pillars of civil society.”
“This is particularly as it relates to our most vulnerable – children. Today a bill was introduced by the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne to allow same-sex couples access to what is known as stranger adoption. Please pass on this newsletter to anyone you know in Tasmania and encourage them to be vocal. History shows that inaction by many Christians in the past has meant that Western Australia as well as other states now have very liberal abortion laws. This need not be the case if the opposition is strong enough. Such Govt actions gives us an opportune time to provide a positive contribution to public debate.”
Please continue to uphold our Governments prayer.
Gary
To compare party platforms from a Christian perspective visit the website prepared by the Australian Christian Lobby, Young FamilyVoice, Family Voice, and HOPE.
The Christian Values Checklist gives a clear picture of the differences between the parties on a number of issues.
The ACL Make it Count event where Colin Barnett and Mark McGowan answered a series of questions from church leaders in front of an estimated 800 Christians is now available.
On Feb 6, 2013 the House of Commons pased a bill to allow homosexual ‘marriage’. For report on this by the 7.30 Report click here.
The Australian Christian Lobby warns that this demonstrates the need to be vigilant in Australia.
Action: The ACL asks people to contact Tony Abbott to ensure that he mains party discipline on this issue.
Abbott contact details:
For more from ACL click here. and here.
The Australian Christian Lobby reports that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Commission is to determine whether to publically fund the abortion druge RU486. This would make the drug available for around $12 instead of the current $300. The GyMiso drug is also being considered by the Commission. CathNews reports on comments by the auxiliary bishop of Sydney Julian Porteous who said that the move to subsidies the drugs was anti-children, anti-women, and anti-family. “These drugs are not medicines as they are not used for the treatment of disease or illness: they are used to kill babies and have also caused deaths among women,” he said.
For ACL article click here.
For Cathnews article “Cheap ‘baby killing drugs’ plan blasted’
For list of committee members and contact details click here.
The ACL has organised 13 Meet Your Candidate Forums in WA ahead of the March 9 election. They will be held 11 Feb-27 Feb 2013. For full details and to see the one closest to you visit www.wavotes.org.au
To see what the ACL is doing ahead of the WA election and ways to get involved click here to watch a short video.
On the 9th of March 2013, Western Australians will head to the polls. In the lead up to the election, the ACL has organised a Make it Count event with the Premier and Opposition Leader on Tuesday 26th February at Mount Pleasant Baptist Community College from 7.30 to 9pm. Head to www.wavotes.org.au for more details.The website also has information about the Meet Your Candidate Forums, where you can get to know the candidates in your electorate more and ask them questions.
There is also a facility where you can compare parties’ responses to a questionnaire on issues of importance to Christians.