Media Release

For immediate release Wednesday, 6 October 2004

Sex, values and free speech - major focus of Election 2004

From anti-vilification legislation to internet pornography to late-term abortions, moral values are proving weighty issues in the public arena on the eve of the 2004 Federal Election.

This highlights the importance of the Christian Values Check List compiled by a network of Australian Christian organisations.

"We are seeing the escalating concern over internet pornography, the rise in late-term abortions and a threat to free speech through anti-vilification legislation. This growing concern shows the relevance of Christian values in Australian society," says Christian-based ethics group, Salt Shakers, CEO Peter Stokes.

The recent arrest of  more than 200 suspected paedophiles in Australia following a huge child pornography crackdown shows the desperate need to deal with personal and public morality.

"Paedophilia is always abhorrent but especially so when practiced by those whom society has learnt to trust such as clergy, child-care workers and teachers," Mr Stokes said.

"Australia was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and those seminal values have held the country in good stead for over 200 years. We need to see a return to such values both in private practice and in public life," he said.

"The Labor party's proposed introduction of  sexuality anti-vilification legislation could not only curtail free speech but could stifle debate on important sexuality issues.

"Only this week we saw the incarceration in the UK of a man described by prosecutor Martin Meekes in court as a "homosexual paedophile". While these labels are appropriate for such a person, the proposed anti-vilification legislation could make it illegal to associate the word paedophilia with homosexuality. Despite the fact that 70 per cent of the so-called paedophilia by Catholic clergy is in fact homosexual paedophilia, men seducing young boys generally aged between 12 and 16, we rarely hear this truth.

"Society needs to understand the social engineering taking place. As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech'.

While the release of the values Check List is part of a broader campaign to get citizens to consider personal morality when they enter the voting booth, it also sends a clear message to the media and public arena about the rise of 'the new Christian vote' and the traditional place of morality in our society.

"Christians are a growing force in the political arena and more vocal than ever about what they consider important and pertinent for the future of Australia. As never before the churches are mobilizing themselves for political action," said Mr Stokes.

"Jesus tells us to be salt and light in the world in which we live," he said. "Christians should be doing everything they can to have a voice. The predominant issue should be that of ethical and moral leadership. It is in this area that Australia is almost completely bankrupt."

SALT SHAKERS Research & Information Services - a division of Salt Shakers Inc.

Peter Stokes is available for interviews on 03 9800 2855 or 0413 084 145.