Federal government plans to 'remove discrimination' against same-sex couples

30/04 Saltshakers Media Release | Australia's federal government has announced today that it plans to rush legislation into Parliament next month to change 100 pieces of Commonwealth legislation to 'remove discrimination' against same-sex couples.

The proposed changes give benefits including tax, superannuation, social security, health, aged care, veterans entitlements, workers compensation, employment entitlements. 

The finance to cover these changes to the law will be provided in the May budget. The estimate of the cost is said to be up to $400 million over four years.

ACL calls for marriage and family safeguards in same-sex law changes

30/04 Australian Christian Lobby | The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has never been opposed to addressing unreasonable discrimination against same-sex couples in Federal laws provided that the changes do not tamper with Australia’s definitions of marriage and family. ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said today that it is fair that homosexual couples should be able to share finance and property with one another so long as marriage and biological parenthood is protected.

“We welcome the Rudd Government’s clear commitment to retaining the special status of marriage as being between a man and a woman – a pre-election and a bipartisan commitment which continues to recognise the special role and value of marriage in Australian society,” Mr Wallace said. .

Nelson uses Anzac morning tea to warn against Muslim extremists

26/04 Maquarie National News | Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has used a pre-Anzac Day morning tea to warn against the threat posed by Muslim extremists.

The former Defence Minister has addressed about 40 returned service personnel at Parramatta RSL Club, saying national security is one of the five main challenges facing Australia.

Dr Nelson says an attack on home soil remains a real possibility from people who oppose the values most Australians hold dear.

“Universal human ideals of respect for other human beings, respect for women, respect for religious freedom, respect for political freedom and choice all of those things are under threat from people that have evil intentions and think nothing of taking innocent life,” he said.

Lawyers are already drunk with power

24/04 Bob Carr, The Australian | CALL it the first swallow of summer. Last week I met a lawyer who said while she opposed a charter of rights, all the barristers on her floor supported it, and for the obvious reason: the intoxicating whiff of litigation. A bill of rights, or a charter, will lay out abstractions like the right to life, or privacy, or property, and thus enable judges to determine - after deliciously drawn-out litigation - what these mean. A shift in power from elected parliaments to unelected judges, by a process of "judicial creep", is part of the bill of rights package.

...Churches are becoming aware their immunity from anti-discrimination laws - a justified immunity - will end with a charter or a bill of rights. Church leaders can democratically lobby parliaments and cabinets, but not non-elected, tenured judges. The most obvious effect of a charter is to add opportunities to defence lawyers in criminal matters.

I look forward to advising victims of crime groups of the consequences of a bill or charter. The power of police to stop and search people for a knife, and remove the knife, which we enacted in NSW in 1998, would not survive judicial activism based on freewheeling interpretations. And the decisive life sentences imposed on the state's worst killers (who were originally given indeterminate "never to be released" sentences) would also be found to contravene prisoners' rights, as in Britain.

Bill of Rights Could Erode Freedoms

29/04 Australian Christian Lobby | Contrary to providing for a fairer and more just society, the introduction of a bill or charter of rights would actually serve to undermine some existing freedoms
Australians take for granted.

That’s the opinion of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), which tonight supported concerns about a charter of rights raised by Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, in an address to the Brisbane Institute.

Rev Nile supports Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia

21/04 Christian Democrat Party | ConDiscussion of a possible revival of the campaign for republicanism in Australia is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money, according to Christian Democratic Party leader, Reverend the Hon Fred Nile LTh ED MLC.

“Media reports attribute to the “Summit” the suggestion that Australians would vote in two years' time on whether to replace the Queen as head of state.

... ‘Australia has been well served by twenty-four Governors-General, and we are entitled to express full confidence that their consistently high standard of service to the Australian people will be permanently upheld and maintained.

Nelson will look at 2020 ideas

19/04 AAP | THE Federal Opposition says it will carefully examine all the ideas that have come from the Australia 2020 summit. ... "From my perspective the priorities amongst those that have been given to us are taxation, getting the federation of Australia to work effectively for the 21st century and drought-proofing our country and focusing on food security," Dr Nelson said.

Dr Nelson, a constitutional monarchist, did not mention the summit recommendation to move towards an Australian republic. But he warned Prime Minister Kevin Rudd not to forget the day-to-day running of the country in his bid to focus on planning for the future

Has the 2020 bubble burst already? What was it all about anyway?

April 2008 Saltshakers Media Release | It would be easy to be cynical about what could be achieved by 1,000 ‘selected’ people at a weekend talk fest, especially when the selection process was also clearly so political. Was I invited? No. Did I apply? No. Why? Because I accepted from the first day it was announced that I did not have a chance of being ‘invited’ or ‘selected’ even if I wanted to go - and I did not want to go!

It seems to have taken only a few days for the euphoria to wear off and the disgruntled voices to start harping at the PM and certain facilitators of various 2020 groups who appear to have had their own agendas.

That of course was never in question about this 2020 Summit – it was always going to be agenda driven and the main agenda driver, however much he tried to suggest otherwise, was Mr Rudd. There were, of course a myriad of other social liberals with their own self interests also willingly climbing on board.

It was stated that it would not include the usual ‘activists’ but ordinary Australians, yet we all knew who would indeed be lining up. It was therefore no surprise to see that the final list included a representative of the ‘Scarlet Alliance’, which represents thousands of Australian ‘sex workers’ (prostitutes and the like) and about 120 people associated with the left–wing Labor activated group Get Up, including its Executive Director.(PDF File)

ACT Assembly support for embryonic cloning is unethical and unnecessary

04/04 Australian Christian Lobby Newsletter | There is disappointing news from the ACT Legislative Assembly which last night passed in principle a bill to permit embryonic cloning for research purposes despite the latest scientific developments in stem cell research which experts say could make cloning irrelevant.

Debate on amendments has been adjourned until next week, but the bill passed its second reading speech by 10-7, with all Labor MLAs and the Greens MLA voting in favour of the bill and all Liberal MLAs and the Independent MLA voting against it (the votes along party lines were made despite this being a conscience vote).

ACL considers that the ACT Assembly’s decision disregards the value of human life and was completely unnecessary.
The scientific breakthroughs by Yamanaka in Japan and Thomson in the US mean that the boat has sailed on any arguable case for embryonic cloning. There have also been other scientific developments which have underscored why the ACT Assembly should not have passed this bill.

The ACT Assembly should be encouraging ethical research instead of research which involves the creation and destruction of human life. By choosing to go ahead with this bill they are effectively penalising people suffering from diseases by paving the way for research funds to be funnelled into an area of enquiry which is becoming outmoded, when far more productive and ethical avenues are available.

2020, men cut down for gender fairness

19/04 AAP | MEN were cut from the list of 2020 Summit participants in order to achieve perfect 50 per cent gender equality, according to the chair of the steering committee. Professor Glyn Davis told The Weekend Australian yesterday he had asked the summit co-chairs and secretariat to go back and find more women to create perfect gender equity. He also rejected criticism from some participants that the 2020 weekend was disorganised and without structure. "It (gender equity) has to be as close as we can, because otherwise this would be a group dominated by experts in particular fields and dominated by men," he said.

2020, Bank offers $30m for homelessness

'No time limit' for Nelson leadership

Teachers scramble to leave tough schools

19/04 AAP | THE NSW Education Department has been flooded with transfer applications from teachers in tough postings before a controversial new system takes effect. The Teachers Federation fears the new system will disadvantage hard-to-staff and remote schools because it dismantles the existing transfer system that rewards teachers for working in hardship posts, including remote areas.

Lemma to face possible suspension

NSW Premier Morris Iemma may face suspension from the Labor Party after being formally charged with disloyal conduct. The Alexandria branch of the party made the formal charges under party rules against Mr Iemma last week, after he declared he would not toe the party's line over a proposed $15 billion privatisation of the electricity industry ... Mr Iemma, and Treasurer Michael Costa, have been charged under an ALP rule which states they must not act contrary to the principles and solidarity of the party.

Delegates push culture ministry

19/04 Susanna Dunkerley for AAP | INCREASING access to the arts, boosting Australian television content and establishing a ministry of culture were the key policy ideas that emerged from the creative stream of the Australia 2020 summit today. Another priority area nominated by the 100 delegates was to establish a nation-wide creative curriculum for schools that ties in indigenous art.

The day-long talkfest, co-chaired by actor Cate Blanchett, produced a range of ideas that focused on ways to better fund and promote the arts. They included establishing a HECs-type arrangement for young artists who would repay loans depending on their success and a federal endowment fund. Another idea was to tie one per cent of federal funding allocated to each government department to the arts.

Indigenous treaty top idea for delegates

19/04 Adam Gartrell for AAP | AN indigenous treaty has topped the priorities of Australia 2020 summit delegates examining Aboriginal issues... The creation of a treaty proved the most popular suggestion, followed by the re-establishment of a national representative body, and the setting up of an indigenous future fund and a watchdog to oversee government action on indigenous issues. Delegate Janina Gawler, speaking for her group of delegates, said the treaty should build on the government's intentions to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

"To formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of Australia, involving a legal agreement as to the status, rights and obligations of indigenous people and the Australian government," Ms Gawler said.

Delegates want republic in two years

19/04 Maria Hawthorne for AAP | AUSTRALIA will be a republic within two years if delegates to the 2020 summit in Canberra have their way. Summiteers in the governance stream voted three to one to endorse the ambitious target, proposed by federal Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus this afternoon. Delegates originally agreed to a 12-year target. But when Mr Debus challenged delegates to commit to a shorter time frame, he was cheered and clapped. "I want us to say that we will proceed to a republic by 2010," Mr Debus told the 100 delegates in his group.

Anti-terror laws mean we need bill of rights

18/04 Ron Dyer - The Australian - Business | THE question of whether Australia should have a bill of rights enacted is coming under increasing examination. This is especially the case against a background of increasingly draconian security or anti-terrorism laws. ... It has often been asserted that the protection of our rights can be safely left to our parliamentary representatives and that to legislate for a bill of rights would distort our system of government by giving unelected judges too much influence over how our democracy develops

...The committee found against a bill of rights for NSW, substantially on the basis that such a bill would undermine the roles of both parliament and the courts. The rationale for this decision was that it would derogate from parliamentary supremacy and also lead to a politicisation of the judiciary. In the years that have followed the above inquiry in which I participated, I have had cause to revise my views very substantially.

I had always held the opinion that parliaments in Australia could be trusted to preserve individual freedoms. My confidence in this regard has been eroded, if not destroyed, by recent state and federal legislation in Australia characterised as "anti-terrorism laws". It seems to me that these laws go well beyond the limits that should apply in a liberal democracy.

There seems to be an irrational rush to vest ever-increasing powers in various policing authorities, with little or no public justification by governments.

As my confidence in the ability and willingness of most parliamentarians to stand against the removal of democratic freedoms has been eroded, I believe that one's thoughts must turn to the role that an independent judiciary can play in the preservation of these freedoms. In my view, there needs to be a basic law of some sort against which legislation threatening civil liberties can be measured.

Iraq troop pullout OK - US

Remove kids from underage sex: Stuckey

17/04 Sydney Morning Herald | Queensland authorities should remove children who have underage sex from dangerous and illegal situations, instead of implanting them with contraceptive devices, the state opposition says. Queensland Health has admitted giving girls as young as 12 the contraceptive Implanon - a small plastic rod containing the hormone progestogen which is inserted into the arm and lasts three years.

Opposition child safety spokeswoman Jan Stuckey on Wednesday told state parliament she discovered the practice on a visit earlier this year to two indigenous communities - Aurukun on Cape York and Woorabinda, west of Rockhampton. Debate about the issue continued in parliament Thursday, with the opposition asking Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech if children in state care had been given the implant.

However, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Ms Keech did not answer many of the questions and accused her of "secrecy" about the practice. ... Ms Keech said contraceptive and sexual health issues for young people in the care of the state were discussed with the child's parents or guardians, health practitioners, doctors and counsellors.

An exception to the Act

10/04 Bishop Christopher Prowse | CURRENTLY abortion is defined in the Crimes Act as an offence, but the law allows exceptions for the sake of the woman's health or life. In practice, abortion is allowed virtually without restriction

The Victorian Government wishes to remove the offence altogether, to "decriminalise abortion" and regulate it as an "ordinary medical procedure". The church is often criticised for having a say on matters such as abortion. It is argued church and state should be separate and government is not the business of the church.

The reality is that the constitutional separation of church and state is to protect the church from interference by the state and to ensure that government treats religions equally.

The Australian Constitution protects religious freedom, including the freedom to speak on issues of importance.

In Australia, a very aggressive exlusionist form of secularism has developed that views religious belief and practice with arrogant intolerance and dismissiveness and which is characterised by attempts to exclude contributions to public discussion by persons who are religious.

HANSARD 2008.04.08 - RELATIONSHIPS BILL

9/04 The Hon Peter Kavanagh MLC, Member for Western Victoria | In April 2008 the Legislative Council considered a Bill to officially recognise a range of “domestic” relationships other than marriage.
Mr Kavanagh spoke against the Bill on the basis that marriage deserves a unique place in our legal system because it is conducive to committed fatherhood which is to the very great benefit of children and to our society generally. Mr Kavanagh was at pains to emphasise the freedom of people to form relationships outside of marriage but also the need to protect marriage as an institution.

FEDERAL OPPOSITION LEADER SUPPORTS TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

9/04 AUstralian Prayer Network Newsletter | Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson reiterated his commitment to marriage as being between a man and a woman, as well as his support for families, during a recent address to the National Press Club. "We believe, also, in relation to people, that families are the foundation of Australian society. I make no apology for saying that a man and a woman is a marriage and that forms a family. I don't support homosexual marriage, I don't support homosexual adoption and I don't support homosexual IVF," Mr Nelson said.

He also spoke about the challenge to have "a cohesive society and one that is clear about its values" and addressed a number of other issues such as climate change, gambling, and indigenous issues.

Relationships Register Bill passed by Victoria's Legislative Council

06/04 Saltshakers Media Release | Thank you to everyone who contacted their MPs in both Houses about this Bill.

We are disappointed that the 'Relationships Bill' has now been passed by Victoria's Parliament.

The debate about amendments and the third reading vote were held yesterday - on Thursday 10 April.

None of the amendments proposed by the Greens were passed.

Senate Enquiries

Senate Inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment.

Senate Inquiry regarding Euthanasia

Family First's bill to reduce the impact of poker machines has gone to a Senate Community Affairs Committee.

Senate Inquiry into effectiveness of broadcasting standards

Tasmanian Legislative Council Select Committee on surrogacy

Victorian Equal Opportunities Act review

What is the QUEENSLAND LAW ON ABORTION

The Queensland law is contained in Sections 224 and 282 of the Criminal Code, a statutory codification of the Common Law which had adopted the Hippocratic medical ethics of 25 centuries ago. The law prohibits abortion unless a mother's life is in immediate danger from the continuation of the pregnancy. This law has been obfuscated by Judges in this and a number of other countries over the last 60 years, and therefore has become unenforceable. However, the High Court of Australia has now been offered the opportunity to sweep aside a maze of minor court decisions and to authoritatively interpret the law and it is to be hoped that they will not let this opportunity pass. No Court of Appeal in Australia has yet considered when an abortion is lawful - in recent times they have repeatedly avoided doing so. One of Australia's leading lawyers,the late John Trail Q.C., described the situation with regard to abortion thus: "Without review, the law remains misruled, misstated, uncertain and unsatisfactory" (in The Petition of Harrigan, Privy Council, 1983.)

Costello 'urged' to challenge

Mr Costello retired to the backbenches after Labor's victory in November, saying he would be looking to build a career outside politics.

Fairfax newspapers say MPs who want him to stay include former cabinet minister Tony Abbott and newcomers Stuart Robert from Queensland and former state director of the NSW Liberal Party Scott Morrison.