News Archive from February - March 2006

March 2006

30 March 2006 - Abdul Rahman released from prison
Abdul Rahman has been released from prison. His case has been the subject of international comment from many people, including Prime Minister John Howard, President Bush and the Pope
Italy has offered him asylum, as this report from Associated Press reveals.
They said "Rahman was released from prison Monday after a court dropped charges of apostasy against him because of a lack of evidence and suspicions he may be mentally ill."
The parliament did not want him to leave Afghanistan - Parliament Speaker Yunus Qanooni said "We sent a letter and called the Interior Ministry and demanded they not allow Abdul Rahman to leave the country."
However grave fears were held for his safety, with some Muslim clerics calling for him to be killed. AP reported that "Abdulrahman Jan, the top cleric in Zabul province said the government should either force Rahman to convert back to Islam or kill him."

The UN worked to get a country to take him in.

In the meantime, Christians in Afghanistan are under threat. There has been no indication in the dealing with this case by Afghanistan that Christians (or any non-Muslims) are free to practice their religion - especially if they have converted from Islam.

The international community needs to continue to call on Muslim leaders to renounce the penalty of being killing for apostasy (leaving Islam).

27 March 2006 - Abdul Rahman in Afghanistan
The case of Adbul Rahman, a Christian who converted from Islam and was put on trial in Afghanistan for apostasy (leaving Islam), has resulted in worldwide condemnation.
The judge in the case said the penalty was death. He said "Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, kindness and integrity. That is why we have told him [Abdul] if he regrets what he did, then we will forgive him." But he also said "The Prophet Muhammad has said several times that those who convert from Islam should be killed if they refuse to come back." Click here for BBC story.
Muslim clerics, even those described as moderate, also called for the death penalty.
Click here for details.
An inside report from Afghanistan lists more of the the comments from the clerics... click here.
After international pressure was applied, the Afghanistan government said they might stop the case because Adbul was 'mentally unstable'.
The current news - it appears that the Afghanistan government has dismissed the case due to technical and legal problems with the 'evidence' and is planning to release him. But there is also talk of returning the case to the attorney general.
As Time says, other Christians in Afghanistan are threatened by the law and Rahman could be charged again under the law. Click here.
A detailed article from Compass Direct explains the case, the story of Abdul Rahman and also the attacks and threats against Christians in Afghanistan. Click here.
Further comments on the case appear on our Blog on our homepage.

20 March 2006 - Election Result in SA and Tasmania
The Labor party was returned to government in both South Australia and Tasmania - in both cases with increased numbers. Both now have a majority government rather than having to rely on support from minor parties such as the Greens.

In South Australia's Legislative Council, Independent Nick Xenophon and his 'No Pokies' ticket gained around 20% of the vote, getting a second person elected - this is Ann Bressington, a woman who has strongly campaigned against drugs in SA.

Click here for the results for Tasmania - House of Assembly.
Click here for the results for South Australia - Legislative Assembly.
(Once in the SA State Electoral Office website, click on 'Legislative Council' for provisional results in the upper house).

17 March 2006 - Elections in SA and Tasmania
State elections will be held in Tasmania and South Australia tomorrow - 18 March 2006.In SA there are elections for the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and the Legislative Council (Upper House).
In Tasmania the election is only for the Legislative Assembly.

We urge voters to carefully analyse the policies of political parties AND their candidates.
Please pray for the outcome of the election - the result is important as we consider the major parties that will run the states, the minor parties who may hold the balance of power and for independents.

In South Australia, commentators are saying Family First could get another member in the legislative Council (Upper House) - Dennis Hood - to join Andrew Evans.

The Democrats and Greens are running a campaign against Family First in SA.
However in BOTH states the Greens and Democrats are promising a selection of very bad policies. The following are a selection from their various policy statements...
* Drugs - harm minimisation at best - Heroin injecting rooms and legalisation of some drugs at worst.
* Homosexual marriage (civil unions) - full rights for all same-sex couples including adoption/IVF.
* Homosexuality - Increased anti-discrimination laws to 'protect' homosexual and transgender people. All statutes/laws to be gender neutral.
* Abortion - abortion on demand for any reason.
* Euthanasia - Legalise voluntary euthanasia.
Other policies include
'Affirmative action' for women's role in the community and business.
More land, land rights and compensation given to aboriginals.
Keeping marijuana legal for personal use in SA.
Making RU486 readily available.

We urge Christians to be careful about 'preferences' made by parties and independents.
SA No Pokies MP Nick Xenophon's party is preferencing the Greens and the Democrats in the upper house and putting Family First down towards the bottom.

If Christians are planning to vote for Nick Xenophon, we urge you to number all your preferences BELOW the line and NOT vote 1 above the line....

Click here for the SA voting tickets...

And the major parties?
Sadly, there is little difference between the two major Parties - either in talent or policy - including welfare policy.
EXCEPT - that Labor are more inclined to...
Promote homosexual 'rights' and 'civil unions', adoption and IVF for same sex couples.
Support abortion on demand (this is a national Labor Party policy.
Support a softer line on drug issues and injecting rooms.

In Tasmania the Labor government has introduced a range of laws promoting homosexual rights, including a register of relationships.
In SA, the Labor government had a proposed law to introduce homosexual rights which lapsed on the last day of sitting in 2005.

Antony Green's election websites
See Antony Green's election website for details on candidates, electorates and analysis.
Click here for South Australia.
Click here for Tasmania.

7 March 2006 - mardi gras crowd numbers
200,000 people disappear!
On Saturday evening 4 March at 11 pm the media were reporting that there were 500,000 people at the mardi gras parade.
This in itself was not a surprise since the mardi gras organisers had been stating for months that there would be “half a million Sydneysiders at the event”. Over the years they have tended to predict the expected number and then report that that many people attended.

On the day of the parade and early evening the media were repeating the mardi gras organisers' estimate that 500,000 were gathering for the parade. Some reports said the organisers' figure was 450,000 people.

Then the reports saying that this was indeed the number were printed online by 11 pm that night.

BUT by Sunday the figure was being quoted as 300,000 people.

An amazing article in the Sydney Morning Herald reported on the reasons behind the change.

When SMH asked a Mardi Gras spokesman yesterday why overnight they had REDUCED their crowd estimate from 500,000 DOWN to 300,000, "Scott Gillespie, assured the Herald the 300,000 figure was accurate, because organisers were using a new internationally recognised system of crowd-counting - "something to do with so many heads per square mile or something", he said. But he was unable to provide further information, nor find anyone else who could do so."
What was that? We don't know how we arrived at that figure but be assured it is accurate!! Heads per sq mile in a 35 metre wide street!! What a bad joke!!
Interestingly, the NSW police stated yesterday that "Our estimates have always been very different to [the organisers'] numbers."
Then why did they endorse them for so many years until we started asking questions. Where is their credibility?

What is the reason for the change in the figure overnight?

The real reason is that the media were confronted about the accuracy of the figure – we sent all the media another email (having previously sent a press release) challenging them about their reports and giving them an analysis of how to calculate crowd numbers.

We have known all along that they were NOT accurate - Click here to see our pictures of 2002 and see if you can spot 31+ rows of people on each side of the parade that year.
NO? Oh dear, where could they have gone? Of course, they were never there, but that is the number of rows needed on EACH side of the parade to give a total of 300,000 people.
The parade route is 1,600mt long - assuming a very tight 3 people per metre = 4,800 people per row. 300,000 divided by 4,800 = 62 rows. (2 people per metre is more realistic but that would mean even more rows!)
Homosexual journalist Adam Carr used the above formula in 2002 and stated, there were at most 75,000 people at mardi gras.

References:

Gay pride fairytale hits Sydney

SMH, 4 March, 2006

This article written on 4 March says there were 500,000. Some reports say this is the organisers’ figure.

Some reports quote the organisers’ figure at 450,000.

Australia celebrates gay and lesbian Mardi Gras
Newsweek, Reuters. 4 March 2006.

By Sunday / Monday the organisers’ crowd figure had been revised DOWN to 300,000 people.

Mardi Gras winner
AAP, March 06, 2006
POLICE say they were pleasantly surprised at the behaviour of around 300,000 people who lined the streets for Sydney 's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade….”

And this is the revealing article from the Sydney Morning Herald on the change to the crowd figures....

A fairytale ending to the night before

SMH, 6 March 2005
This is the report with quotes from the organisers on the crowd numbers.

This report is also filed under Issues. Click here.

1 March 2006 - Charter of Rights in Victoria

The Bracks government is proposing a 'Charter of Rights' for Victoria.

We oppose such a 'Charter' because they LIMIT the rights we already have. Governments are supposed to restrain evil (see Romans 13). Our rights are inherent - the problem with defining what rights we have removes others. One of the proposals is to affirm the 'right to life' but the Charter adds "from birth"!!!

It affirms UN discrimination law - and allows Courts to analyse UN and international statutes in making decisions.... and then notify the parliament that our laws are in breach of the Charter!

Babette Francis had an excellent article in the Herald Sun today....
Charter from another century
by Babette Francis, Herald Sun 1/3/06

This is attached on our page concerning the proposed Charter.
Click here for the article, information about the proposed charter, more articles and action you can take!

27 Feb 2006 - Government leaders outspoken on integration and immigration

Prime Minister John Howard and Treasurer Peter Costello have recently been outspoken on the the need for Muslims to accept Australian culture and laws.
We congratulate them on their forthrightness in speaking about the need for all Australians to integrate and have loyalty to our nation.
The Treasurer spoke to the Sydney Institute this week, also opposing 'mushy' multiculturalism. He says he thought all Muslims who oppose the 'radicals' would support his message - instead many Muslim leaders - of all types - criticised him.

The Speech.....

WORTH PROMOTING, WORTH DEFENDING
AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP, WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW TO NURTURE IT
ADDRESS TO THE SYDNEY INSTITUTE by The Hon Peter Costello MP
THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2006
"............But Australia is not an emigrant nation; – not like the Greeks or the Irish. Australia is an immigrant nation. This is a defining characteristic of who we are.
Outside Australia 's indigenous people, we are all immigrants or descendants of immigrants – some earlier than others - but all with an experience of immigration during the foundation of modern Australia . Australia is part of the New World – the world of immigrants – not part of the Old World – the places they embark from. This is why we are suspicious of inherited titles and privileges. Nobody can afford to get too precious about their position or entitlements in this country because we all know that position and entitlements are comparatively new..........."

Regarding our current situation regarding Muslims who live in Australia and the rule of law, Peter said:

"We have a compact to live under a democratic legislature and obey the laws it makes. In doing this the rights and liberties of all are protected. Those who are outside this compact threaten the rights and liberties of others. They should be refused citizenship if they apply for it. Where they have it they should be stripped of it if they are dual citizens and have some other country that recognizes them as citizens.
Terrorists and those who support them do not acknowledge the rights and liberties of others – the right to live without being maimed, the right to live without being bombed – and as such they forfeit the right to join in Australian citizenship.
The refusal to acknowledge the rule of law as laid down by democratic institutions also stabs at the heart of the Australian compact."
He then goes on to speak about the "radical Muslim Cleric Ben Brika" and his view that there are two laws - Australian law and Islamic law...

The full speech is on the Treasurer's website – click here.

21 Feb 2006 - Cabinet approves funding for abortion counselling

The Federal Cabinet has approved a $60 million package to provide counselling and support to pregnant women who may be considering abortion. The counselling would be provided by independent counsellors, not the abortion clinics. A 'hotline' would also be established for women to phone for support.
This is a positive step forward in increasing awareness about abortion and providing women with other options in setting that is outside the abortion providers' clinics. We congratulate the government for this initiative aimed at decreasing the number of abortions.
There has been some question (and opposition from pro-choice groups and MPs) about church groups providing this counselling, however Tony Abbott is keen for various groups to participate in providing the counselling.
Article from The Australian:
Cabinet vows $60m to cut abortion rates
The Australian, February 22, 2006.
"JOHN Howard has warned cabinet that Australia's abortion rate is too high, as senior ministers last night endorsed a multi-million dollar boost for counselling and pregnancy support.
Health Minister Tony Abbott won the unanimous support of cabinet to introduce a 24-hour advice hotline for pregnant women and a Medicare rebate to offer women counselling if they are considering terminating a pregnancy............"

17 Feb 2006 - Details on the RU 486 VOTE

Some details on the debate and vote on the "Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005".
Even though the final Bill was passed 'on the voices' (see below), a Second Reading vote was taken on the intention of the members regarding the Bill.

We are disappointed that a final division and counted vote was not called on the Bill.
However, the Second Reading vote gives the general intention of the member's vote on the Bill.

There may have been some Members who voted for the Bill in the Second Reading and then voted for the Laming amendment who might then have decided to vote against the total Bill itself in the third reading. Since a final vote was not counted we cannot definitively say who supported the final Bill - although there were only six more MPs who voted for the Laming amendment than the number who had voted against the Bill.

Jackie Kelly's amendment
Following the debate on the Bill itself, the amendment sponsored by Jackie Kelly, which would have given the veto on the drug to the whole Parliament instead of the Health Minister was considered.
This was defeated by 96 votes to 49.

Second reading vote
A vote was then taken on the second reading of the Bill.
This was 95 in favour, 50 against.
This gives the intention of the members regarding the actual Bill.

Andrew Laming's amendment
Following the Second Reading vote, the amendment proposed by Andrew Laming was considered. This would have given the responsibility to the TGA but given the parliament the right to veto the TGA decision.
This amendment lost by a vote of 90 to 56.

Third Reading
The Bill then went to a third and final reading and vote. No count of the vote was taken on the Third Reading. The Bill was passed 'on the voices' since no one called for a division.

Voting on the Bill and Amendments

For a list of how all MPs voted on each of the amendments - and most importantly on the Second Reading, see the Hansard.
This is a pdf document.
For the relevant three votes and lists of MPs, refer to the numbered (not actual) pages of the document.
Jackie Kelly amendment - Page 34
Second reading - Pages 34-35
Andrew Laming amendment - Pages 40-41
Third Reading - Page 41
Click here .

For your convenience the details on all these votes have been placed in a Word document and attached below .

16 Feb 2006 - RU 486 VOTE RESULT - BILL PASSED

The House of Representatives has voted today in favour of the Bill to hand over the responsibility for considering and approving RU 486 to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, thus removing the responsibility from the Health Minister and the Parliament.

Two amendments were put up... One of these amendments, proposed by Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming was voted down by 90 votes to 56. It would have given the authority to the TGA but given the Parliament the power to veto their decision. Earlier an amendment by Liberal Jackie Kelly was defeated which would have given the parliament the veto on the drug.

A vote was taken on the second reading of the Bill. Then Andrew Laming's amendment was considered. The Bill then went to a third and final reading and vote.

No count of the vote was taken on the Third Reading. The Bill was passed 'on the voices' since no one called for a division.

However, the Second Reading vote gives the intention of the member's vote on the Bill.

Media articles:
Controversial bill passes, The Age, February 16, 2006

Australia Shifts Control of Abortion Drug, AP, Feb 16, 2006.

16 Feb 2006 - RU 486 vote due TODAY

The House of Representatives debated the Bill on who approves RU 486 until midnight last night, Wednesday 15 February. Debate continues today with a vote later today.

The issue has been difficult for some MPs who are personally opposed to abortion because some of them see it as simply a 'process' question.
Those promoting the Bill have argued that the TGA is 'expert' and that the Health Minister is a 'single person'.

The reality is that the TGA is supposed to analyse THERAPPEUTIC drugs (see definition in the ACT) that HEAL. In addition the Health Minister ONLY makes decision on advice - from his Department, the TGA, the Health Ethics Committee, etc.
The telling point in this debate is that some of those promoting the Bill such as Sharman Stone say it is just procedural and not about abortion but at the same time have been ACTIVELY talking about abortion and promoting the 'need' for RU 486.

We urge all MPs to vote against the Bill to ensure that Parliament retains control of this dangerous drug.

An insightful article by Charles Francis QC
Lonely Deaths in Chilly Places was published in the Herald Sun today. It makes essential reading. He reveals:
* No US drug company would touch the drug and a shell company Danco was set up by the Population Council Inc to market the drug. Danco is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and ONLY markets RU 486.
* The court documents in cases against Danco by the families of women who died from RU 486.
* Danco has the drug manufactured in China by a company "cited by the FDA for producing tainted drugs".
* The manufacturer of the second drug used to complete the abortion (Cytotec - Misoprostol) has repeatedly warned that the drug is UNSUITABLE for use in abortions. He says that "The doctors appear to be almost inviting legal action."
The article is attached.

14 Feb 2006 - Federal Parliament RU 486 debate and vote

The Senate debated and voted on the RU 486 Bill on Thursday 9 February. They voted 45 to 28 in support of taking the responsibility for approving the use of the abortifacient drug RU 486 from the Health Minister and giving it to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The Bill is called the "Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Bill 2005".

The Senate Community Affairs Committee published their report into the approval process for the abortion drug RU 486 on Wednesday 8 February.
The report is now available on the Committee website - click here.

Debate is now being held in the House of Representatives
- with a vote due on Thursday 16 February.
We urge everyone to contact their local MP and ask them to vote against the Bill.
Click here for more information on the Bill, our reasons for opposing the Bill and how to contact your MPs etc.

11 January 2006 - Summit Worldview conference

The Summit Ministries worldview conference starts on Sunday 15 January in Canberra.

If you haven't registered there is still time to do so.

14 December 2005 - Response to the Sydney riots...

The riot that started on Sunday 11 December as a demonstration to claim the Cronulla beach in Sydney by young Australians has featured in newspaper headlines across the nation. Headlines that accused the youth of racism at Cronulla on Sunday ignored the past tensions - including the bashing of two lifeguards the week before by a Middle Eastern gang and the intimidation and abuse dished out to locals by visiting Muslim youth.
Muslim youth retaliated the following night... Strong police presence the next night has halted the violence...

Andrew Bolt's response to the riots is available on the same link...