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?

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Written by Bill Muehlenberg

How should Christian think about the modern state of Israel? Numerous book-length treatments of this topic have appeared, so it may be foolhardy of me to try to adequately cover this topic in a short article. But I can at least make some introductory remarks here….

To read the full Article, click here.

According to Dallas Clarnette, chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, “this government’s policies are dishonest. They are directed, not at effective road safety but what everybody suspects is the case – raising revenue. Dr Clarnette said, “Current policies and strategies advertised as the government’s tough policy are not working. It is this government took traffic management seriously and were informed by the road safety evidence from around the world.”

Speed cameras do not reduce accidents but actually increase them. Some US states such as Arizona has banned all cameras. In Canada, Winnipeg found accidents increased by 58% after cameras were installed. Yet the Victorian Government stubbornly relies on cameras, which are both unreliable and prone to abuse. In 2009 21% more tickets were issued than before, but accidents only decreased by 5%.

The argument that ’speed kills’ and cameras are necessary is also hollow. If this were true, why would most European states permit drivers to travel at 130 kms per hour? Only Cyprus and Norway limit speed to 100 kms, while the UK and Sweden make it 110.

Clearly the government is drug addicted, the drug being a daily injection of revenue from cameras. Knowing that Australia’s road trauma costs the nation $17Bn each year with 5 people being killed each day, the government has blood on its hands by not getting serious about the real issue: dangerous drivers and bad policies.

Victoria needs visible police patrols targeting actually dangerous drivers, not those who exceed the limit by a margin. As Victoria has the lowest number of police of all states, the force must be increased urgently. A visible police presence is the strongest deterrent to dangerous drivers and thugs on our streets. Victorians should replace this failed government with an honest traffic management system. Till then, Victoria will continue to suffer from bad government.

Dallas Clarnette
Chairman
Christian Democratic Party, Victoria

When questioned, Rev Nile stated that the bill seeks to… [read the full article here]

Sustainability has become an essential word in official documents, a word that opens doors to reasonable arguments in public debates. Everything needs to be sustainable: economy, energy, agriculture, growth, development, population, society etc.

What does the word “sustainable” mean? How is it interpreted by various groups in society?

Sustainability generally looks to the future from a human perspective and seeks to find balance or compromise among competing needs. The United Nations 2005 World Summit refers to the “interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars” of economic development, social development, and environmental protection.”

A balancing act is always difficult to achieve and particular groups with particular interests will promote their own priorities in making decisions.
Governments have  therefore an important role to play in regulating competing needs in the best interest of the nation and its future.

From a Christian perspective, one ‘overarching pillar of sustainability’ is obviously missing from this equation: the Creator’s wisdom and His recommendations for taking care of His creation. Christians talk about responsible stewardship of our society when engaging in debates about the environment.

An article by  Andrew Cameron (Sydney Anglican) looks at the Christian perspective in environmental issues. Cameron authored a booklet (image above) which contains a strong scriptural argument followed by practical applications for Australian society. Pamphlets are available by emailing Moore Books.

In a positive way, sustainability makes people aware of many  interdependent factors affecting our lifestyle and reminds us of our responsibility in taking good care of what we have received. It warns against greedy interests, it encourages research, knowledge and the development of new technologies.

The great appeal of the Greens Party to many voters, young and old, is their emphasis on protecting the natural environment. While the Greens use the word ’sustainability’ quite often, their views  really amount to an obsession with the worship of Nature, the ‘evil’ of human interference and in particular the Judeo-Christian perspective of morality. Christians voting Greens at election are usually unaware of the Greens social policies (on abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, prostitution, drugs …). These social policies are not only morally corrupt but are incapable of delivering a sustainable society for our children and our grand-children.

Sustainability cannot be discussed in a moral vacuum; it needs an honest and reasoned approach to seeking balance between competing needs and interests. Christians should definitely welcome discussions on sustainability and show positive leadership in dealing with this issue.

Our Christian Future? 

What do Christians want from their Government? What are they afraid of?

Christians in Australia were appalled by the Victorian legislation which forced pro-life doctors to violate their conscience and refer women to abortionists. If you are not fully convinced that your vote will affect our Christian freedoms, please read more information on Dr Dunjey’ s Choose Life Australia website.
Christians in the UK are hiring lawyers to defend their freedom of expression in the public square- See Bill Muelhenberg article : More English Anti-Christian Bigotry
So, how do Christians articulate the values and principles they want protected in nations where leaders are quick to talk about the National Interest but incompetent in defending the Christian heritage which has made these nations great?
One of the answers is found in Christian on-line declarations signed by many Christians around the world. A recent example is the UK Westminster 2010 Declaration. Its opening statement declares: “Protecting human life, protecting marriage, and protecting freedom of conscience are foundational for creating and maintaining strong families, caring communities and a just society. Our Christian faith compels us to speak and act in defence of all these.”
In Australia, the People Charter sought  A MILLION SIGNATURES TO SAY NO TO AN AUSTRALIAN BILL OF RIGHTS BECAUSE IN FACT IT WILL RESTRICT OUR FREEDOM TO SAY AND LIVE BY WHAT WE BELIEVE.

Do we have real reasons to fear further erosion of Christian values in the public domain? YES, WE CERTAINLY DO. The composition of a parliament has a great influence on the decisions made in the “National Interest”. When those who lead us are unable to discern the importance of Christian values for the well-being of a nation, we have good reason to be concerned. The CDP advertisement below is a timely warning about the rising influence of the Greens Party  and its anti-Christian agenda in Australian politics. Share it with all your friends, talk about it, ask us questions about it. It is time to be well-informed about the policies that really matter to Christians at election-time.If you would like printed copies of this flyer, please email Ray at the CDP office.

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.

Your vote is never wasted when you support the CDP.