ACL 13th June 2013

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13 June 2013

Tas abortion bill sent to committee

Vic Senator hosts public forums about sex-selection abortions

A truly wicked problem: Dealing with the complexities, realities and impact of the refugee debate

Sociologist comments on Australian study into child health in same-sex families

ABSENT film now screening in your state

Genevieve Gilbert-Quach on the Political Spot talking about life as a prostitute

Emma Rossi from ACMA on the Political Spot regarding inquiry into broadcasting codes

Lyle Shelton’s ABC News interview on same-sex marriage

Lachlan Macquarie Internship

In the media – a wrap up of the last week’s commentary

Staying in touch with ACL

Yesterday Lyle Shelton, Managing Director of ACL, was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery. The surgery appears to have been successful, and while there will be a recuperative period, we have no long term concerns for his health. I know Lyle and his family would value your prayers during this difficult time.

Situations such as this are a reminder to us all of how fragile life is. I was recently meditating on Psalm 90:12 which says:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

There is something about keeping the brevity and fragility of this life in our sights that is clarifying, that enables us to gain perspective, and wisdom (hopefully). So much of contemporary life is shaped by a perspective which thinks that the ‘here and now’ is all that there is to live for.

I don’t know about you, but it makes me wonder how public discourse in this nation might look if the words of Psalm 90:12 were taken more seriously.

Blessings

Nick Overton
Acting Managing Director

Tas abortion bill sent to committee

After a big day of briefings on Wednesday the 12th of June, the Tasmanian Upper House voted overwhelmingly in favour of sending the Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Bill to a standing committee. This will ensure the bill gets scrutinised further before being voted on or amended later in the year.

Vic Senator hosts public forums about sex-selection abortions

Today Victorian Democratic Labor Party (DLP) Senator John Madigan (pictured with ACL’s Dan Flynn) spoke at two public forums in Melbourne on the private bill he introduced into the Senate this year to remove public funding of abortions used to select boys or girls.

A truly wicked problem: Dealing with the complexities, realities and impact of the refugee debate

The Australian Institute of Families Studies (AIFS) is hosting a seminar on July 16, titled “A truly wicked problem: Dealing with the complexities, realities and impact of the refugee debate” which may be of interest to some of our supporters to hear from Paris Aristotle AM, Director of Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. (VFST) , also known as Foundation House and Dr. Ida Kaplan, Direct Services Manager VFST.

Sociologist comments on Australian study into child health in same-sex families

The ACL recently issued a media release about the interim findings of the Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families urging caution in accepting the results of the study. Associate professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin Mark Regnerus (pictured) has commented about the Australian results in The National Review – Assessing the Australian Study.

ABSENT film now screening in your state

Absent is a documentary by award-winning journalist and director Justin Hunt, about the impact of fathers on children and society. ACL’s Katherine Spackman recently spoke to Mr Hunt about his new film. It is now being released in Australia, and you are invited to view a screening of it in your state this month.