News Archive from June and July - 2006

21 July 2006 - President vetoes Bill on embryo stem cell research
Good news! US President, George Bush, has vetoed the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research.
His speech is available on the White House website....

President Discusses Stem Cell Research Policy
This the the actual speech made by the president to the US nation in July 2006 about vetoing a Congress Bill on embryonic stem cell research - you can read it or view it.

President Discusses Stem cell Research
August 2001.

19 July 2006 - Coalition for Free Speech formed
The Coalition for Free Speech has been formed. It is a network of groups and individuals who want to see the religious sections REMOVED from Victoria's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act (RRTA).

A RALLY is being held on the steps of Victoria's Parliament - to present a petition signed by almost 30,000 people (around 10,000 of these have already been presented to Parliament) calling for the repeal of the RRTA.
Several speakers, including members of parliament and others will address the rally!

Rally Details:
Tuesday 8 August 2006.
Time: 12.30 sharp to 1.30/2pm.
Make sure you attend to tell the government you are concerned about this law.
Bring ALL your friends!
Click here for the Coalition for Free Speech website.

14 July 2006 - UCA Update: EMU and RA form new group
At their meeting on 12 July, following the UCA National Assembly, Reforming Alliance and EMU resolved to stay in the Uniting Church in Australia , but to form a separate group of churches.

In a statement they said Resolution 108 "strengthens the relentless march of the UCA towards the full acceptance of practicing homosexuals in the ordained ministry".

They resolved "to form The Assembly of Confessing Congregations. This new body will fulfil responsibilities which have been neglected or have become dysfunctional in the UCA." The Assembly will begin operation in October.

The Statement released by them is on the EMU website: click here.
Under the title
EMU/ RA Response to Assembly
Uniting Church plunges deeper into confusion and despair.

Reports from EMU on the Assembly as well as media articles, are also posted on the EMU website.

Resolution passed by the UCA National Assembly
- more information
The actual resolution passed by the UCA National Assembly - Resolution 108 - is posted on the Reforming Alliance website.
The resolution was passed by 173 votes to 48. The motion affirmed the current situation of homosexuals being able to be ordained by presbyteries but encouraged churches to accept ‘diversity’ of belief on the matter.

Click here for The Resolution, plus comment from Reforming Alliance.
The Resolution is on Page 2.

They also have an analysis of the debate regarding sexuality from the National Assembly.
Click here.

Media Report:
Gay clergy split Uniting Church
The Age, Barney Zwartz, Religion Editor, July 14, 2006
"DISSIDENTS in the Uniting Church, "distressed and angry" that the national assembly this week reaffirmed gay clergy, will form their own church within a church...."

12 July 2006 - Uniting Church and the ordination of homosexuals
The National Assembly of the Uniting Church of Australia (UCA) (held every three years) has just concluded in Brisbane.
After 5 days of debate on the issue of sexuality and the ordination of homosexuals, the Assembly decided it was not prepared to make a decision.
This leaves the UCA holding the position adopted by the 2003 National Assembly - Resolution (or Proposal) 84 - which allowed individual presbyteries to ordain homosexuals living in same-sex relationships. It also meant that churches and presbyteries could ask questions about sexuality.

The Evangelical Members of the Uniting Church (EMU) and the Reforming Alliance are meeting in Brisbane today to discuss their options - to stay in the church or to leave because of their position on the ordination of homosexuals.

Please pray for the leaders, Rev Steve Esterby and Rev Max Champion, and others at those meetings that they may have God's wisdom and discernment in their discussion and decisions.

Full Statement from the UCA National Assembly
Click here for the FULL statement from the UCA National Assembly on the ordination of homosexuals as posted on the Assembly website. (about 2 pages A4)

Media Report:
Good News for gay clergy
The Age, Barney Zwartz, 12 July 2006.

11 July 2006 - Catch the Fire Appeal scheduled for AUGUST
The Court of Appeal (of the Supreme Court in Victoria) will hear the appeal by Catch the Fire Ministries and Pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot on August 21 and 22, 2006. The hearing starts at either 10 am or 10.30 am.

If needed, the appeal will be heard on a third day.

Visit the Catch the Fire Ministries website for more information. If you would like to contribute to the costs of the appeal, contributions can be sent to the Trust Fund set up by the legal team. It is estimated that the appeal will cost over $400,000 - more than $200,000 is still needed. To support the appeal fund, click here .

5 July 2006 - John Anderson receives award
Former deputy Prime Minister John Anderson MP called for all Christians to be involved in politics when he was awarded the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute Faith and Work Award recently.

Mr Anderson was invited to speak on the topic ‘Should Christians Be in Politics?’ when he accepted the award in Sydney on June 22. He skilfully addressed the topic with anecdotes from his political experience and built up his argument that in a liberal participatory democratic system, Christians absolutely should be involved. Mrs Julia Anderson was also presented with a gift in recognition that he could not have done it without her.
The award was presented by Professor Steven Schwartz,Vice Chancellor of Macquarie University.

Congratulations to John Anderson!
More details: Insights, NSW UCA magazine.

5 July 2006 - Homosexuality and the Uniting Church
The Uniting Church in Australia has their annual Assembly in Brisbane this week.
Eight different proposals regarding sexuality and ordination are up for discussion - starting tomorrow
The current situation is 'Resolution 84' passed at the last assembly in 2003, which says that individual presbyteries can ordain homosexuals.
The proposals range from affirming all homosexuals in the ministry to 'not discussing the issue' to overturning Resolution 84.
There are 270 elected representatives at the Assembly. The Reforming Alliance and the Evangelical Members in the Uniting Church (EMU) are actively opposing the acceptance of homosexual ordination.
The Australian reports that a split is possible, with some Biblically-based Christians leaving the current Uniting Church, whilst Barney Zwartz reported Rev Stephen Esterby of EMU saying "We are hoping to provide people with an alternative so they can stay together with integrity within the Uniting Church."
The Reforming Alliance and EMU have a meeting next week in Brisbane following the close of the Assembly to consider their options - which will depend on the discussion and vote at the Assembly.

Please pray that the result will be opposed to the ordination of homosexuals.

Media articles:
Troubled waters
Feature article in The Age by Barney Zwartz
NOT online.

Rebels warn of church split
The Australian, Jill Rowbotham, Religious affairs writer, July 05, 2006.
"REBEL Uniting Church members are likely to propose a split unless the three-yearly assembly that begins today in Brisbane outlaws gay clergy. ..."
The Australian understands that unless there is a change in policy over sexuality in the ministry, the rebels will propose a breakaway on July 12, the day after the assembly ends..."

Schism looms over gay clergy
Conservatives and liberals in the Uniting Church are headed for confrontation at the triennial assembly next week. Religious affairs writer Jill Rowbotham reports The Australian, July 01, 2006

4 July 2006 - Big Brother - the people speak
Votelines yesterday showed between 59% and 74% of people thought the whole Big Brother program should be axed!

PM John Howard and Opposition leader Kim Beazley both said it should go. The authorities are investigating the show to see if it breached classification guidelines.
But Queensland Premier Peter Beattie is saying his government will continue to support the program... and Vic Premier Steve Bracks said if the program "complies with the arrangements which are set, it should go on"."
The Herald Sun reported "LEADING media buyer Harold Mitchell warned Channel 10 that advertisers could abandon it unless it cut the sleaze."
Source: Big Brother should be axed, says PM
Herald Sun, 4 July 2006.

Good news! The more people express their concern, the more likely it is that the program will go!
Contact Channel Ten... Click here...

3 July 2006 - Big Brother in a big bother
Revelations over the weekend that Big Brother evicted two young men for sexual impropriety are the fault of the program producers and Channel Ten executives as much as the two men concerned
The footage of the incident was not broadcast on TV but was streamed live on the internet in the middle of the night.
Channel Ten have clearly put station ratings and company profit ahead of any ethical and moral concern for the young people involved in Big Brother or those who watch it.
Channel Ten recently acknowledged that more than 70,000 children were probably watching the 'adult only' late night program (now taken off air) so how many are not only watching the earlier shows but also the live internet content?
It is time for Channel Ten to realise they are corrupting both contestants and viewers and they need to removed the program completely.
Please write to Channel Ten and request that this program be immediately removed. Go to viewer feedback for your local station phone details.

Media articles:
Click here for the statement from Network Ten (saying they didn't breach any rules)
Axe 'this stupid program': PM
The Age, 3 July 2006.

June 2006

30 June 2006 - Anglican Church in crisis
A feature article in today's Age newspaper highlights the growing crisis in the Anglican church over homosexuality. Controversies over the ordination of open homosexual Gene Robinson as a bishop in the USA and the recent decision by the US Episcopalian church not to review that decision has led the Archbishop of Canterbury to acknowledge the problems and the potential split. " He suggested a two-tier church, built around a "covenant" of shared beliefs that churches would have to choose to sign. Those churches that opted out could be associate members, in a reduced relationship and without a vote on the church's ruling councils. Clearly, conservatives would dominate"....
Crises of faith
The Age, Barney Zwartz,June 30, 2006.

Church is split, declares Jensen
SMH, Linda Morris Religious Affairs Reporter, June 29, 2006
"AUSTRALIA'S leading conservative Anglican has pronounced the global church officially "separated" after the Archbishop of Canterbury conceded it may have to break apart to survive the fractures over gay clergy.
The Sydney Archbishop, Peter Jensen, aligned with rebellious evangelical prelates in Asia and Africa , said it was a historic, if not sad, moment for the church torn apart by gay clergy and gay marriage...."

Press Release from the Archbishop of Canterbury
'Challenge and hope' for the Anglican Communion
27th June 2006
"The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has set out his thinking on the future of the Anglican Communion in the wake of the deliberations in the United States on the Windsor Report and the Anglican Communion at the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (USA). ‘The Challenge and Hope of Being an Anglican Today, A Reflection for the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion’, has been sent to Primates with a covering letter, published more widely and made available as audio on the internet."

Statement to the clergy...
Archbishop's reflections on the Anglican Communion
27th June 2006
The Challenge and Hope of Being an Anglican Today: A Reflection for the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion: a Church in Crisis?

Video version of this speech...
See reference to audio link.

29 June 2006 - United Nations warns about cannabis dangers

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has released its World Drug Report 2006, and has warned of the dangers of cannabis (marijuana). It highlights the fact that the strains of cannabis are much stronger now and more dangerous. The UN report estimates that 160 million people worldwide use cannabis.

The head o f the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa, said countries got the drug problem they deserved if they maintained inadequate policies. He said "The cannabis pandemic, like other challenges to public health, requires consensus, a consistent commitment across the political spectrum and by society at large" and warned that it is not a soft drug.

The full World Drug Report 2006 is available.
Click here.
Media article from The Age/Telegraph. Click here .

27 June 2006 - Really useful articles

A new section on our website - under Latest News - links to recent important and really useful articles on a range of topics!
The first article:
Homosexuality misrepresented by fabrication and bias
Catholic Insight, June, 2006
Great analysis of the research done by Dr Jeffery Satinover....

We will post articles there regularly - so stay tuned!

21 June 2006 - Democrats introduce Bill to allow same-sex 'marriage'

On the SAME day the motion to stop the federal government overturning the ACT Civil Unions Act was debated, the Democrats introduced their own private member's bill to change the Marriage Act allow same-sex 'marriage'.

This is despite an overwhelming vote by the federal Parliament to define marriage as being 'between a man and a woman' just two years ago.
The Bill is called the 'Same-sex Marriages Bill 2006' and it had a First and Second Reading on Thursday 15 June.
The Bill was introduced by Senator Bartlett - it was sponsored by Senator Stott Despoja and himself - he gave the Second Reading Speech as Senator Stott Despoja was on leave due to illness.

The Bill would remove the definition of marriage as 'between a man and a woman', replace 'wife' or 'husband' with the word 'spouse' and change the phrase "a husband and wife" to "two people". It also says "To avoid doubt, nothing in this Act is intended to prevent the marriage of two people of the same sex under this Act."

Whether it gets to be debated and have a 'Third Reading' depends on the government allowing the Bill to be debated. The Bill would not be passed since the government is specifically opposed to such moves, but the fact that the Bill is introduced tells us where the Democrats stand on this issue!

Hansard: Description of the Bill AND the Second Reading Speech
Click here. See Pages 4 and 5.

Text of the Bill - click here.

Full description of Bill
including Second Reading Speech, text of Bill, etc.
Click here.

15 June 2006 - Senate motion fails

A motion put into the Senate to stop the federal government from overturning the ACT Civil Unions Act has failed.

The vote was 32 to 30 to support the government's position. The vote was basically on political party lines, with the Greens, Democrats and Labor voting against the government. Senator Gary Humphries, a Liberal Senator for the ACT (and a former ACT Chief Minister) crossed the floor to vote against the government.

The remaining Coalition and Labor/Democrat MPs organised 'pairs' where their votes count against each other.
Click here for the Hansard debate.
Page 22: Start of debate.
Page35: Vote.

Media Reports:
Senate upholds ban on ACT civil unions
The Age, 15 June 2006.

13 June 2006 - Federal Government overturns the ACT Civil Unions Act

The Governor General this morning accepted the advice of the federal government meeting as the Executive in Council (several Ministers) and overturned the ACT Civil Unions Act. This will come into effect at midnight tonight.

This will mean that same sex couples will not be able to use the law, despite the fact the ACT government amended it this week to change the notice from a month to a week.
The ACT government asked the Governor General to ask for amendments to the Act but this was declined.

However - a motion to overturn the Governor-General's decision is expected to come before the Senate tomorrow. ABC News reports that 'Mandy Sharplin, from homosexual group Good Process, says she hopes senators who have raised concerns, like ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries, vote to overturn the disallowance'. "The Howard Government really had no right to ride roughshod over the Territory's laws".

Salt Shakers congratulated the Commonwealth government for its decision to overturn the ACT Civil Unions Act because it conflicts with the Marriage Act.

We now call on the federal government to do the same thing in regard to Tasmania's Relationships Register, because it is virtually identical to a civil union in giving legal recognition to homosexual relationships, registering them and giving them almost the same rights as marriage.
For our media release. . . click here.

Homosexual lobby groups consider civil unions, registered partnerships and relationship registers as varying forms of 'registering' relationships - all giving them 'virtual marriage'.

Last year, the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby did a survey of members and stated

"We did not make a distinction between civil unions and registration. These have since been listed as separate choices in the ACT Department of Justice discussion paper on the recognition of same sex relationships, although the differences are minor. [Emphasis added]

[VGLRL Report, 2005. http://www.vglrl.org.au/files/VGLRL%202005%20-%20SSRS%20Report.pdf ]

Media articles
Government bans gay unions
The Advertiser, 13 June 2006.

Humphries to confront PM on same-sex unions
Canberra Times, Andrew Fraser, Tuesday, 13 June 2006

Senators urged to protect civil unions
ABC News, 13 June 2006. 4.38 pm

G-G to disallow civil unions laws
ABC news, 13 June 2006. 1.11pm.

12 June 2006 - Marriage - Ten Principles
More Than 50 distinguished Scholars issued a statement in June 2006 titled 'Landmark Principles on the Importance of Marriage and the Public Good'.
They argue "the case for marriage can be made and won at the level of reason".

Marriage as the union of a man and a woman is profoundly in the public interest and should be reaffirmed, not redefined. (Lifesite, 7 June 2006)

This landmark scholarly document, published by the Witherspoon Institute of Princeton, NJ, makes a deeply intellectual case for marriage as the foundational institution of society. Although respecting the role of religion in most marriages, the scholars make the case for traditional marriage on the basis of sociological evidence of its social value.

"As scholars," reads the Executive Summary of the Principles, "we are persuaded that the case for marriage can be made and won at the level of reason. Marriage protects children, men and women, and the common good. The health of marriage is particularly important in a free society, which depends upon citizens to govern their private lives and rear their children responsibly, so as to limit the scope, size, and power of the state."

'Landmark Principles on the Importance of Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles'.
Read the full Report
- online in HTML by Chapter. Click here.
Home page for the principles: Click here.

Permanent page on our website click here.

9 June 2006 - Age of Consent - Ireland and Canada
Ireland is just changing their 'age of consent' laws following a Supreme Court decision which found the law against sex with minors unconstitutional.

News laws are being drafted to set the age of consent at 16 for boys and girls (it was 17 for girls and 15 for boys) - with an 'honest defence' clause.
Meanwhile Canada is planning to RAISE the age of consent from 14 to 16....
Full details on our new web page on 'age of consent'.
Click here.

9 June 2006 - Federal govt override ACT Civil Unions
The federal Cabinet has decided to oppose the ACT 'Civil Unions Act' because they claim it is too much like marriage and conflicts with the federal Marriage Act.

The Attorney General Hon Philip Ruddock said "“Amendments to the initial draft have not altered the substance of the ACT laws which make it clear that same sex civil unions are just marriage by another name.”
He said the Government will seek to overturn the law by using the power of the Executive Council and the Governor General - rather than talking the matter to a vote in the parliament. "Under section 35 of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, the Governor-General, on the advice of Executive Council, may disallow an ACT enactment within six months. The Government will recommend this course of action."

Attorney General's Media Release
6 June 2006.

Marriage is one of the matters that is dealt with under the federal law and states cannot make laws relating to marriage.
This is a welcome move, and we support this move.

Immediately homosexual groups and other politicians began opposing the government and calling for the matter to be put to a vote in the parliament. Kim Beazley made moves to oppose the PM on this.
The ACT Attorney General is now proposing to make some amendments to their law. "ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell will ask the Legislative Assembly this morning to call on the Governor-General to use part of the Self Government Act to refuse to disallow the law, and ask for amendments instead. Mr Corbell says he will also move to shorten the notification time from one month to one week."

In Victoria , Ted Baillieu has re-iterated his support for 'civil unions'.

Media reports:
ACT to ask G-G to save gay unions
By Kylie Williams and Peter Veness, Herald Sun, 7 June 2006
This article explains the various actions of the federal government and the responses of the ACT government.

Gay unions showdown begins
This article describes the various responses.

ACT steps up civil unions campaign
ABC News, Thursday, June 8, 2006. 6:09am

6 June 2006 - Gambling, RU 486, 'ban' on using 'Mum' and 'Dad'
Where does one start?
Just in today's media reports:
Gambling - the Victorian government is currently conducting a review of gaming machine licences which are due to expire in 2012.
The gaming companies are asking for MORE pokies and asking that the 'duopoly' held by Tattersalls and Tabcorp be extended for an additional 20 years - Why? Because the government will get MORE gaming revenue! (Not to mention the fact that they get to make lots more as well!]
The government already gets around $1 billion from gaming!
For Herald Sun article, click here.

RU 486 - So the Therapeutic Goods Administration was going to do a thorough evaluation of the abortion drug RU 486 to ensure it was 'safe' following the recent vote in federal Parliament to pass the authority to approve or otherwise to the TGA?
Think again! Prof Caroline de Costa, a Queensland doctor who has been lobbying for the use of this drug, was granted permission a few weeks back to use the drug under the 'authorised prescriber' legislation.
If a drug company applied to register the drug it would cost them around $180,000 and the drug would have to be thoroughly evaluated.
But no such regime for this current situation.
De Costa is able to take delivery of her first shipment of 40 tablets and claims she will be 'treating' patients by July.
She is claiming it is safe...
She said “We are not going to be able to do this on a large scale under the authorised prescriber legislation...But the fact that the TGA has said the drug is safe . . . and that we are permitted to import it says that this is a safe and reasonable thing to do.”
But just being given permission to import does NOT make the drug 'safe'!
We must remember that the US FDA is currently evaluating RU 486 because a number of women have died after using it and a Congressman in the USA has a motion before the Congress to ban the use of the drug.
Herald Sun article - click here .

Banning the words 'mum' and dad' - This might seem like a bad joke except for the fact that curriculum materials have already been printed to encourage schools not to use the words 'mum' and 'dad'.
Why?
A lesbian activist, Vicki Harding, who created a controversy when she appeared on Playschool with her lesbian partner and her daughter, and then wrote books like 'Going to [mardi gras] Fair Day' with her daughter Brenna, has now written a manual for schools called 'Learn to Include'.
She claims that because children who have homosexual parents don't have a mum and a dad then all such references should be DELETED!
She says the words parent or parents should be used!
She was interviewed on Today Tonight on 5 June 2006.
Political correctness gone mad!
A couple of weeks ago she was in the news when it was revealed that her 'Learn to Include' books including the Rainbow Cubby House - where a lesbian couple and their daughter build a cubby with a homosexual couple and their son - were being read in a CHILDCARE centre in Sydney!
Click here for article from SMH.