“The decision today made by Kevin Rudd’s Labor Government to allow Australia foreign aid programs to fund abortion through Non Government Organisations, will be seen as a betrayal by the Churches and their communities,” said Senator Ron Boswell today.

“This is the first time Australia has used foreign aid funding to supply abortions through AusAid.”

“The Prime Minister influenced and campaigned hard to harness the Christian vote to Labor in the last election.  At the last election he assured the Christian vote that their vote was safe with him and his party.”

“Today’s decision by the Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith to increase Australia’s foreign aid budget by 15 million dollars to allow UN agencies and non-government organisations to use this money for family planning and abortion funding will disappoint church goers who mistakenly thought Mr Rudd would never allow this to happen.” 

“Before the last election, Mr Rudd, the then Opposition Leader appeared on a web cast organised by the Australia Christian Lobby to 800 churches and 100 000 people.  His appearance was designed to woo the Christian constituency.” 
“Independent political analysis by former Labor Senator John Black identified Christian votes as a significant influence for the Labor win at the last federal election.” 

“Those people who changed their vote to Labor because of Mr Rudd’s appearance on the webcast to the Churches will feel let down and betrayed.  The Prime Minister has terminated their trust today by allowing the Foreign Affairs Minister to make this announcement on Australia funding overseas abortion through the AusAid budget,” concluded Senator Boswell. 

ENDS

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