February 2009 News Archive

25 February 2009 - Sweden to discuss legalising same-sex 'marriage'
The Swedish parliament is currently considering a Bill to legalise "gender neutral marriage". The Bill was introduced in January 2009 and if passed will become law by May 2009. Six of the seven political parties are said to support the Bill. Three of the four parties in the ruling government Coalition support it - all except the small Christian Democratic Party.

Sweden was the first nation to introduce 'registered partnerships' in 1995. Now they are joining the move to change from these 'partnerships' to 'marriage - since both forms of relationship now have the same rights!
For more information, see our page on same sex 'marriage' and civil unions"
click here.

25 February 2009 - Reflections on the national memorial service
Yesterday we sent an email on our E-News, reflecting on the format and content of the 'national memorial service' for the Victorian bushfires. We spoke about the 'secular' nature of the service, and the involvement of 'interfaith representatives'.
About the aboriginal 'welcome to country' and the bell ringing. About the statement by Kevin Rudd that there will be an annual minute's silence - we asked... what about other disasters - past and future? Will they all get a special day of remembrance? We don't have a formal day or minute's silence for 'Bali'. We have them for significant war events - but that's different.
We've attached the 'reflection' below....

Today Andrew Bolt has an article in the Herald Sun reflecting on the bushfire memorial service - he asked some of the same questions and some different ones - highlighting the political nature of the event. Click here to read his article Disunity in Death .

24 February 2009 - Homosexuals claim Victorian register a 'success'
A homosexual newspaper is claiming that the Victorian register for same-sex relationships is a 'success' because 48 couples have registered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages office since the scheme began on 1 December 2008.
Of the 48 couples, 17 are female-female, 28 are male-male and 3 are male-female.
An additional 25 couples have applied to register but are in the 28 day waiting period.

However, given that there were 12,708 people in Victoria who said they were in a a same-sex couple relationship at the 2006 census, this means that only 0.7% of those have registered their relationship. Adding in the additional 25 couples gives 1.1% of all same-sex couples.
The question is 'How does one measure 'success'?

In the ACT, which passed 'civil partnership' legislation in May 2008, 52 people (26 couples) have taken out a 'civil partnership'. This is 4.3% of same-sex couples from the 2006 census .

23 February 2009 - Inquiry into Emissions Trading Scheme
Will there be an emissions trading scheme?
In the first article below, the government says they are still planning to push on with a carbon emissions trading scheme. Meanwhile business leaders are said to be pushing for a carbon tax instead of an emissions trading scheme.
In the second article, the Liberals are planning to send the matter to an Inquiry in the Senate...

Wong 'undeterred' on emissions trading scheme
The Age, Tom Arup - February 20, 2009
"HE Federal Government has sought to lock in the design and timeline of its emissions trading scheme despite increasing calls from green and industry groups to dump or alter the policy..."

Opposition taunts with ETS inquiry
The Age, Peter Martin - February 23, 2009
"THE Opposition will put pressure on the Government over carbon emissions trading by moving for a Senate inquiry into the issue. . ."

23 February 2009 - New 'spray on' contraceptive
A new 'spray-on' contraceptive is being developed - the manufacturer says it is to try and overcome the side-effects that result from using the Pill - such as blot clots...

Media report: Spray-on contraceptive could replace pill
The Age, February 23, 2009
"THE contraceptive pill could be a thing of the past if a spray being trialled by a Melbourne company proves successful. The spray, being developed by researchers at Acrux, is applied daily to the forearm to deliver a contraceptive known as Nestorone through the skin. The company says that using the spray form of the drug allows smaller dose sizes, reducing side-effects including water retention and breast tenderness, and in the long term, cardio-vascular problems such as blood clots. . ."

Click here for our page on the contraceptive Pill and its side effects.

18 February 2009 - Bushfires - Christians died in fires
Many names of Christians who died in the fires are emerging. Some are mentioned in the articles below.
A number of campsites and retreats were destroyed - including ESA and El Khanah at Marysville; Remar drug rehab at Kinglake and Betel at Marysville.

Australian Prayer Network has posted an overview of people and groups they know of - click here or here.

Two articles in The Age - mentioned a survivor and another mentioned three Christians who died.
Greg Lloyd - A memorial service was held yesterday in Hoppers Crossing for Greg Lloyd, a Christian young man who was house-sitting near Yarra Glen. He died in the fires, along with his girlfriend and her brother.
The Age reported on the service - click here for the article.

Jason Lynn crawled to the dam on his property and spoke to his wife and children by phone - then talked to his pastor until he was rescued.
The article concluded "it was a miracle he was alive and it was by the grace of God that he survived."

Please pray for all those affected by the fires.

We have stated a bushfire relief fund - to assist pastors on our mailing list in the affected area to help their communities. If you'd like to contribute please phone our office on 03 9800 2855.

18 February 2009 - Bushfires - National memorial service
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has declared a national day of mourning on Sunday 22 February.
A national memorial service will be held on Sunday 22 February at the Rod Laver Arena at 11 am.
There will not be a cost for attending - and there will be free public transport.
The Victorian Council of Churches is helping co-ordinate it...
Click here for the initial article noting that a national memorial service would be held.

Official details: A press release with details of the service is posted on the Premier's website - click here.
Those from bushfire affected areas who wish to attend can book seats - phone 1800 136 762.
Local services will also be held and screens will be set up to broadcast the main service. Details here
It will also be broadcast live on all the ABC and the three commercial TV networks.

Media article about the memorial service:
Giant wreath at centre of Sunday's memorial service
The Age, February 18, 2009

16 February 2009 - Bushfire - churches meet in devastated areas
On Sunday, churches met and local open-air memorial services were held in areas affected by the bushfires.

The pastors of these churches have often lost everything themselves - some have lost loved ones - but they are reaching out to hurting communities.
An article in today's Age newspaper highlights some of the services held.
The article covers a number of services held, but features Mt Cathedral Baptist at Buxton, a church that meets in the local Buxton Hall which wasn't burnt in the fires.
We we have visited and spoken at the church several times. Killian Fitzpatrick and his wife are well known to us.
Article:
Memorial services hear stirring messages of faith, hope and charity
Lindsay Murdoch, Buxton. The Age, February 16, 2009.

11 February 2009 - Bushfire tragedy
The tragedy of the bushfires in Victoria is overwhelming many people. The generosity and support form many people is inspiring. We have spoken to pastors and friends in the Marysville and Buxton area who have shared their personal experience of loss.

Christian missions and campsites have lost their buildings. Over 1000 homes have been destroyed. The loss of life is the most tragic, with 181 confirmed dead.
Please pray for those affected, who are grieving for family members who have died and those affected by the loss of their homes and possessions.

The ABC website has information about the fires and information about donating to the appeal.

4 February 2009 - Inquiry season!
There are a lot of Inquiries happening! We've already mentioned the AHRC Freedom of Religion Inquiry - click here for our Campaign page.

Gambling
The federal government has asked the Productivity Commission to conduct an Inquiry into gambling in Australia - as a follow-up to its 1999 Inquiry.
Click here for our Campaign page with full details and links.
Submissions due 31 March.

Surrogacy
An national Inquiry on surrogacy laws has been launched by SCAG, the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General and the Australian Health Ministers' Conference / Community and Disability Services Ministers' conference joint working group.
The purpose of the Inquiry is to have national surrogacy laws...
A Discussion paper has been released.
Submissions close 16 April 2009.
Click here for our Campaign page with full details.

Other current matters include:
* Consultation on a federal Bill of Rights - click here for more details.
* A 'probable' federal discrimination law on sexuality before the next election - click here for report in the homosexual media..
* AHRC Report on gender and sex - advocates third sex of intersex and law changes regarding transsexuals. Click here .

It looks like being ANOTHER busy year!

4 February 2009 - Extension for AHRC Religion Inquiry
If you thought you had missed the deadline for submissions to the Australian Human Rights Commission's Inquiry into 'Freedom of Religion and Belief', you can relax - just a little bit!

The deadline has been EXTENDED to 28 February 2009 . [It was 31 January]

See their media release on this extension here.
That means you can still prepare your letter and send it off...!
Click here for our campaign page which has details of the Inquiry and some suggestions about making a response. The Inquiry's homepage and details on the Inquiry - click here.

4 February 2009 - President Obama's CIVIL RIGHTS AGENDA
Shortly after being sworn in as president, Barack Obama posted his full agenda on the Whitehouse website.
The 'Civil Rights' agenda is far reaching and shows his support for homosexuality and hate crimes laws. It has a LONG list of items under the heading 'Support for the LGBT community". Click here to read it.
His support for abortion is listed under the heading "Women".

Dr David Reagan has written an insightful article summarising Mr Obama's agenda, called 'War on Evangelical Christians has begun'.
Click here to read it on Jan Markell's website.
When reading it, please think about the changes we have had in Australia since the election of the Rudd Labor government.

2 February 2009 - Abortion and overseas aid
The Rudd government is under pressure from pro-abortion groups to remove the ban on the use of government overseas aid funds to provide abortion advice or abortions.

Pro-abortion groups, led by the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance are pushing for the removal of the ban. The ban was implemented by the Howard government with advocacy from former Tasmanian Labor Senator Brian Harradine.

Action is needed - write to Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith and the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - ask them to KEEP the ban!
Click here for our campaign page - and contact emails for MPs!