Latest News - August / September 2004

20 September 2004 - Playing it Straight
The latest reality show to feature deception and lying is Playing it Straight. Rebecca has to choose from 12 men. She only finds out that half of them are homosexual on the second day of filming. The men are all trying to convince her that they genuinely want to win her affections, but she doesn’t know who to trust.
We are monitoring the program and asking companies whose ads appear to ask their media agencies and Channel 7 not to run them on the show. Homosexual groups have said they do not like the show because it stereotypes homosexuals and shows them lying to win more money. [If Rebecca chooses a homosexual he gets $200,000 and she gets nothing - if she picks a ‘straight’ man they split the $200,000.]
FIVE companies have already said in the first two weeks, that they don’t want their ads on the show!
PS: After three weeks (25 Sept) the number has grown to 12 companies.

1 September 2004 - Federal Election
The federal election will be held on Saturday 9 October, 2004 . This is a vital time for our nation. Please pray for the leaders of the political parties - that the campaign will focus on the actual issues involved.

A ‘Christian Values Check List’ will be circulated about 3 weeks before the election. (As was done prior to the last federal election.)

This is being prepared jointly by a number of Christian organisations, and will cover some of the major moral and ethical issues, and compare the policies of all the major parties on those issues. The Check List will be sent out on email - it can then be copied and distributed widely.

Click here for our ‘Election 2004’ page.

13 August 2004 - Marriage Act amendment passed
The Senate has voted, by 38 votes to 6, to pass the government’s Marriage Amendment Act. The Bill defines marriage as “the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life” and ensures that same-sex “marriages” performed overseas cannot be recognised in Australia.
The debate was heated, with Greens Senator Bob Brown and and Democrats Senator Brian Greig criticising the Marriage Forum and groups who oppose same-sex marriage. Words such as ‘fundamentalist’ and ‘gay hate groups’ were used.

Labor supported the Bill.
HOWEVER Labor made it clear they would remove all discrimination against same-sex couples if elected AND introduce vilification laws based on sexuality...
Senator Ludwig’s speech (ALP) quoted Mark Latham saying (31 May) “The Labor Party decision not to advocate for gay marriage is a position that was determined last year by our Labor caucus as part of a whole package of other reforms relating to same sex couples that we are taking to this election.”
He also said “Only Labor will immediately introduce antidiscrimination laws based on sexuality and introduce protection from harassment and vilification”.
So there you have it! Labor will give relationship rights and vilification laws to homosexuals if elected.

13 August 2004 - Rob Wilson VCAT case - statement
As mentioned in the report (below) for 13 August, Cr Ro b Wilson read a prepared statement to the Tribunal. It reads...
A. Councillor Wilson issued, in early June of 2003, a press release the subject matter of proceedings at VCAT by Olivia Watts No. A319 of 2003.
B. As part of that settlement of those proceedings, Cr Wilson states:
· Ms Watts has assured him she is not a Satanist
· To his knowledge Ms Watts does not, through her religious beliefs, or otherwise, participate in illegal activities.
· Mr Wilson does not condone the use of violence against anyone, on religious grounds or otherwise.
· Mr Wilson expresses regret for any hurt felt by Ms Watts in consequence of his press release
· Mr Wilson will make no further comment on Ms Watt’s faith.
· Mr Wilson acknowledges that all followers of lawful religions may practice their faith without vilification.

13 August 2004 - Rob Wilson VCAT case ‘resolved’
The second day of the hearing of the case involving Rob Wilson and Olivia Watts was a very short one!
When the hearing began, Mr Niall, for Oliva Watts, announced that the matter ‘had been resolved’ overnight. He said he would seek ‘Orders’ to have the tribunal settle the matter.

Cr Rob Wilson then read a prepared statement to the Tribunal as part of the settlement. The Statement is posted above... More detailed reports have been sent by email.