Category: News

 

Check out what the billboards say by clicking here and chip in to help us make it happen:

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/HonourYourCommitment

We know it is only fair that Tony Abbott meet with Riz Wakil. After all, he promised to do so. When Mr Abbott’s Press Secretary told us that Mr Abbott would like to have the meeting before the election, and that he would ring back to confirm a date, we took him at his word. But after repeated phone calls from us – that his office have now stopped returning – its time for us to up the ante.

With a week and a half left there’s still time for Mr Abbott to meet his commitment before the election. That’s why with your help we’ll take a message to him that he can’t miss: massive mobile billboards asking him to honour his commitment and meet with Riz.

You’ve stood behind Riz before – can you stand up for him again?

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/HonourYourCommitment

The $16,000 cheque for charity? Signed, sealed and delivered. The refugees? Although a little nervous, they’re ready for the meeting! The only thing missing is Tony Abbott.

Together, let’s make it clear where we stand – its time for Mr Abbott to make good on his promise. We’ve had a victorious fortnight so far this election campaign, with wins on enrolment and internet censorship. With your help we’ll return our focus to the vital issues surrounding refugees and asylum seekers.

Thanks for all you do,
The GetUp team

P.S. Tony Abbott has commissioned billboards of his own. They are driving our marginal seats attempting to scare voters into thinking we’re being invaded by ‘illegals’. With your help we’ll respond to the fear mongering in these last few days before the election.

 

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GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. We use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. We receive no political party or government funding, and every campaign we run is entirely supported by voluntary donations. If you’d like to contribute to help fund GetUp’s work, please donate now! If you have trouble with any links in this email, please go directly to www.getup.org.au. To unsubscribe from GetUp, please click here.
Authorised by Simon Sheikh, Level 5, 116 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
 

 

The stoush between the Greens and the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) started late last week when the ACL accused the party of refusing the scrutiny of Christian voters.

All major and minor parties were sent a questionnaire from the lobby group but the Greens refused to respond to 18 out of the 24 questions.

The ACL’s managing director, Jim Wallace, says it was dishonest of the Greens to ignore the questions.

“Even the Sex Party answered honestly the questions – I don’t agree with their positions, but at least they were honest enough to actually put their replies forward and respond today whereas the Greens weren’t,” he said.

“I don’t support the Sex Party but I certainly don’t support either a party that doesn’t act honestly before the electorate.”

The Greens say all their policies are clearly stated on their website.

But Cardinal Pell’s weekend newspaper column slammed the Greens’ so-called Stalinist roots.

He said the Greens were anti-Christian and opposed to the notion of family

“One wing of the Greens are like watermelons – green outside and red inside – a number were Stalinists supporting Soviet oppression,” he said.

“We all accept the necessity of a healthy environment but Green policies are impractical and expensive which will not help the poor.

“For those who value our present way of life, the Greens are sweet camouflaged poison.”

Mr Wallace agrees with the Archbishop of Sydney.

“I think that what he said there is simply illustrated by the fact that they’ve shown so much deception in the way that they’ve avoided showing their hands to Christians on a whole range of issues, such as euthanasia, abortion, prayer in Parliament, funding of schools, marriage, surrogacy… a whole range of issues,” he said.

‘Unfortunate language’

But Father Frank Brennan from the Public Policy Institute at the Australian Catholic University was not impressed with the article.

“I was surprised by the tenor of the remarks – the Christian lobby, of course, is a self-appointed group who, as they describe themselves, are as a lobby and they invoke how they would see the Christian gospels to be lived out in the community at large,” he said.

“Cardinal Pell, of course, is in a different class. He’s one of the respected leaders, a key bishop of the Australian Catholic church.

“I’m a member of the Catholic Church – most Australian Catholic bishops, of course, haven’t used the sort of language that Cardinal Pell has used.

“I think it’s unfortunate language. I don’t think there’s any need to label the Greens as being ‘sweet camouflaged poison’ or ‘thoroughly anti-Christian’.

“I know some members of the Green Party, some of whom I think are thoroughly Christian and the idea that they’re ‘sweet camouflaged poison’, I think that sort of language during an election campaign from a respected church leader, I don’t think it does any of us any good, least of all our church.”

Father Brennan says some Christians like the idea of a third party having the balance of power in the Senate instead of the government of the day controlling both houses.

He has suggested voters look for politicians of good character.

“Character is something more than religious faith, definitely those of us who are Christian would say that those who don’t have religious faith, we would hope that there are other ways in which they could exhibit strong character,” he said.

“But equally, it’s got to be said, but not even Christians can claim that simply because they have faith, that they have good, strong and robust character.”

Father Brennan says in future, if the Christian Lobby wants to mount such a rhetorical election campaign, bishops should offer a dignified distance and reticence.