ACL 6th February 2014

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Australian Christian Lobby

6 February 2014

Where to start…

There has been some positive news coming out of Queensland to help prevent sexualisation of children. A bipartisan committee report on outdoor advertisement has recommended a co-regulatory approach and the introduction of fines for breaches.

ACL’s Wendy Francis talks about the report in a Political Spot interview.

This week the ACL has questioned why taxpayers are subsidising a Fringe Festival event in South Australia called ‘Come Heckle Christ’.

ACL’s Dan Flynn was interviewed by Adelaide’s 5AA about the issue. You can listen to his interview and see other ACL commentary inACL in the media section.

Last week the government announced it would be abolishing the Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission. ACL’s Katherine Spackman spoke to a charities and not-for-profit lawyer Mark Fowler about what this potentially means for churches and charities.

In January the education minister announced a national curriculum review. We’re encouraging people to make a submission, due 28th of February.

Looking ahead, next week is the first sitting week of Parliament for the year. A church service will be held on Tuesday here in Canberra to mark its commencement. Please remember to pray for our leaders.

Till next week!

ACL Team

Deep breath needed in rush to dismiss mum and dad parenting

By Lyle Shelton, Managing Director

Children miss out on a mum or a dad usually because of tragedy or desertion. Where this occurs we as a society rightly provide financial and moral support to single parents. Where children are orphaned the State usually seeks to provide a mother and father replacement family through adoption.

Australians’ gambling losses build the case for reform

Reforms to the gaming industry should remain on the political agenda in light of fresh reports that Australians are the world’s biggest gamblers, according to the Australian Christian Lobby. The report puts Australian gambling losses at around $1144 per resident.

SA: Please tell your MP not to fund religious denigration

The Australian Christian Lobby has questioned the use of taxpayers’ money to subsidise so-called art aimed at denigrating religion. The South Australian Government and Adelaide City Council sponsorship of a Fringe Festival event entitled ‘Come Heckle Christ’ is inappropriate, so we encourage you to contact Premier Jay Weatherill or your local MP asking them not to fund such religious denigration. Email the Premier at cheltenham@parliament.sa.gov.au or follow this link for list of MPs’ contact details.

Have your say in the National Curriculum Review

In January, Education Minister Christopher Pyne announced that Professor Ken Wiltshire and Dr Kevin Donnelly would lead a review of the National Curriculum. Mr Pyne said the review would evaluate the curriculum’s “robustness, independence and balance and examine the content and development process”.

Mark Fowler on the Political Spot about govt abolishing charties commission

Mark Fowler is a Director at Neumann & Turnour Lawyers. In this interview with the ACL’s Katherine Spackman he talks about the federal government’s decision to abolish the charities and not for profit commission.