Dear Friend

Look before you vote on 21 March

The Queensland election is just over a week away on 21 March, and we pray that some men and women with Christian values will be elected to the state parliament on that day.

To help you find out who they might be, FamilyVoice Australia has been extremely busy. We have sent ten election survey questions to all 397 candidates and are currently recording their responses - including official party responses.

So far we have received official responses from three parties and some 50 individuals, and are entering the scores on our election website. Over this weekend we will enter the “official” answers for party candidates who have failed to make an individual response.

The ALP response scored just 32 out of 100. Labor's commitment to retain parliamentary prayers was the only reassuring answer.

Labor has made it clear that it would not remove the artistic merit defence for child pornography, nor would it consider re-establishing the Legislative Council or remove vilification laws restricting free speech on religion or sexuality, or reconsider allowing de facto couples to adopt children, or allow towns with more than 25,000 people to reject brothels in their communities. Labor is also likely to introduce same sex relationship registers.

On abortion, the Labor response restated Premier Anna Bligh's pro-abortion views and pointed to a private member's bill as the way forward for abortion law reform. Some individual Labor candidates such as Michael Choi in Capalaba have done better.

The LNP response was not brilliant but was nearly twice that of Labor, scoring 60 out of 100. Some individual LNP candidates have scored 100.

The Liberal National Party gave a definite commitment to retain parliamentary prayers and has also promised to amend Queensland prostitution laws to enable communities of any size to veto brothel applications.

While falling short of a definite commitment, the LNP gave more positive responses than Labor to questions on adoption, removing vilification laws, opposing same sex relationship registers and making no change to existing abortion laws.

The Family First Party gained a perfect score of 100, sharing FamilyVoice Australia's perspective on each of the ten questions.

We have tried, but so far failed, to obtain any response from the Greens or One Nation. If they continue to refuse to respond they will score zero. Pauline Hanson, who is standing as an Independent in the electorate of Beaudesert, has scored a surprising 86 out of 100.

Preferential voting is optional in Queensland state elections, but we encourage you to number every square on the ballot paper anyway. This is especially important if you are voting for a minor party such as Family First or an Independent. By putting your preferred candidate as number 1, the second best as number 2 and so on, you ensure that if your preferred candidate does not succeed, your vote is passed on at FULL VALUE to your next preferred candidate and is never wasted.

A vote for a minor party candidate or an Independent can send a strong message to the ultimate winner about your values. If say, an LNP candidate is elected with the help of Family First preferences, the LNP is more likely to respect Family First policies.

From Monday 16 March, reasonably comprehensive responses should be available from the link on our website, www.fava.org.au . When the FamilyVoice Australia home page comes up on your screen, click on the blue underlined words “Queensland Election 2009”. Then wait while the election website with a list of all the Queensland electorates is loaded.

Then click on your electorate. Soon you will be able to view the names and scores of all the candidates in the order they will appear on your ballot paper when you vote on 21 March, with their scores for each question and their total. You can print out the page and bring it with you to the polling booth.

Share this email with your friends to help them decide how to vote on Election Day. God bless you!

Yours in Christ,

Geoffrey Bullock
FamilyVoice Australia
Queensland State Officer
Email gmb@fava.org.au
Tel 1300 365 965
Mobile 0427 645 133

PS: The note below could be included in church bulletins for Sunday 15 March.

FAMILY VOICE AUSTRALIA ELECTION SURVEY

FamilyVoice Australia has asked all Queensland candidates and political parties ten questions on key family, life and democracy issues. The answers can help inform Christians as they decide how to vote on 21 March. Check out the website at www.fava.org.au.