The 2010 Federal Election is on 21 August. Do you know how to vote for the CDP?

In five weeks time, Australians will go to polling booths and exercise their democratic right to elect their representatives in the federal parliament. What is at stake for the Christian voter? How should we prepare ourselves for this election?

Having trouble viewing this image? Download the CDP How To Vote Card in a PDF.

Whoever wins the next Australian Federal election, the balance of power will almost certainly be held by minor parties. Your choice is between the radical left wing parties that wont to throw out our traditional way of life in favour of unproven social experiments, and the Christian Democratic Party who stand for protecting our Aussie way of life; supporting every citizen with compassion and responsibility, and providing a conscience for the excesses of the all powerful major parties.
For a sensible, conservative yet progressive balance of power, Vote 1 for CDP in the senate.

Cannabis Law Reform Bill 2009

This Bill has been read twice in the Legislative Assembly in October last year.

It is expected to be debated in the very near future.

The Bill proposes to repeal the Cannabis Control Act 2003 which tolerates the cultivation of a maximum 2 plants. Cultivated cannabis plants, cannabis resin or any other cannabis derivative will now be prohibited in any quantity as per the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.

Possession of any quantity of cannabis will be prohibited, however possession of a smoking implement containing trace of cannabis and possession of no more than 10 grams of cannabis (instead of 30 grams currently) will be treated as a minoroffence.

A person caught with a minor offense will either elect to have the matter dealt with in court or attend a “cannabis intervention session” within 28 days.The purpose of an intervention session would be to inform the offender about the adverse health and social consequences of cannabis use, the laws relating to the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis and effective strategies.

It will also now be of an offence to sell or display for sale “cannabis smoking paraphernalia”. Penalty for sale to a minor will be set at $10,000, $5000 in any other case.

Comment: This is a significant improvement on the current situation and Minister Graham Jacobs should be congratulated for this. Pray that the legislation may go through and that the government will invest significant funds for a high profile public education campaign

Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2009

Greens MLC Greg Chapple gave motion to introduce his “Voluntary Euthanasia” Private Member Bill before Parliament went into recess last year.

The Bill will now be debated some time after Parliament resumes in March.

A final copy of the Bill has not been sighted, however a draft. circulated defines euthanasia as “the deliberate administration of a drug or combination of drugs …by any means in concentrations that will and is intended to cause death … or the withholding or withdrawing of medical treatment … knowing that death will either result or occur more quickly”.

The intent therefore is to legislate suicide.This is not a Bill that deals with refusing futile or burdensome medical treatment when death is inevitable. It is a true euthanasia bill with the intention to cause death.

Action: Write to your Legislative Council members to express your opposition to this Bill and state that rather than legislating for euthanasia, Parliament should consider providingmore government support for palliative care