Touchstone issues for busy people

1. Freedom of religion

Australia has a proud record for protecting freedom, but increasingly faith-based organisations and individuals are unduly prevented from giving expression to their religion, or being pressured to act against their conscientiously-held beliefs, particularly in the areas of employment, service delivery, and education. Would your Party ensure that, like political parties, churches and religious bodies have their right to employ staff who share their ethos protected?

The DLP is committed to protecting religious freedom in Australia. We also recognise that churches and religious bodies have a right to employ staff who share their ethos.

• Yes - Family First would fight to ensure that churches and religious bodies have the right to employ staff that share their ethos.
• At a state level, Family First has already successfully moved amendments to protect church hiring practices and we will continue to fight for these protections into the future.

Family First fought hard for, and won, exemptions in the South Australian Equal Opportunity Bill for churches to continue hiring people with a sexual lifestyle they agree with in administrative roles. Family First has led the way in Parliament to preserve religious freedom, and it will continue to do so into the future.
 

Yes. We strongly believe in freedom of religion and the freedom of association.

• The Gillard Labor Government is committed to the maintenance of freedom of religion and religious expression as fundamental democratic rights.
• There is great diversity of religious beliefs and religious practice in the Australian community and one of our greatest strengths is our respect for the rights and freedoms of others.

• The Coalition is committed to protecting the right of all people to practise their religion without intimidation or harassment, as long as those practices are within the framework of Australian law.

The definition of ‘discrimination’ in section 3 of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 provides that it “does not include any  distinction, exclusion or preference ... in connection with employment as a member of the staff of an institution that is conducted in accordance with the doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of a particular religion or creed, being a distinction, exclusion or preference made in good faith in order to avoid injury to the religious susceptibilities of adherents of that religion or that creed.”

The Coalition does not propose that that definition be altered.

The Coalition also respects the right of religious organisations to uphold their own ethos in their employment practices.

Churches should have freedom to employ staff who share their ethos but should not be allowed to discriminate against these people on the basis of their gender, sexual preferences or other employment choices. Discrimination on these grounds for people who otherwise share a basic philosophical or religious belief cannot be justified by the teachings of any of the founders of the major religions. So someone who is practising catholic and has no qualms with the religious teaching but happens to be gay or lesbian should not be disqualified from a teaching or serving position within the church. In such cases the organization to be subject to the full force of the local discrimination law.

• Freedom for religions to choose staff of similar belief
• No freedom to discriminate against them on grounds of sex, gender or occupation
• Churches liable to be sued for infractions

Yes we would as it is essential that in a number of employment situations where a religious affiliation, a religious belief, a political philosophy, and social practice would be very important to the ethos of the workplace and that must be protected so that the business ethos and philosophy not be compromised.

• AFLP believe churches and religious organisations should have the right to employ staff who share their ethos in executive positions and in the ministry.
• In the situation of schools, AFLP believe teachers and other staff can be employed who do not have the same religious ethos.

Religious bodies should have the right to employ people who share their ethos for the purpose of practices particular to the religion. Where religious bodies perform public services, for which they receive government funding, there should be no exemption from anti-discrimination legislation.

THE GREENS DECLINED TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

Our party would ensure that churches and religious bodies have their right to employ staff who share their ethos.

3. Overseas aid

Will your Party confirm the current Government commitment to contribute 0.5% Gross National Income to international aid and development efforts by 2015? What timeline will it put in place to reach the internationally agreed target of 0.7% GNI?

As a philosophy, the DLP is committed to the development of both national and international aid. Timelines for reaching targets should always depend upon national affordability. We would be looking to set a firm target after reviewing the 2011 budget and forward estimates.

• Family First supports the Government's initiative to contribute 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) to International aid.
• Family First supports calls from the Make Poverty History campaign that the Australian Government should join other OECD countries by committing to a timetable for overseas aid as a proportion of GNI of 0.7%.

Family First supports the Government's initiative to contribute 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) to international aid. In 2009, Australia contributed 0.29% of GNI to international aid - well below the OECD average of 0.48% and the UN target of 0.7%. In 2010, Australia ranked 16 out of 23 OECD countries for the amount of aid given as a proportion of our national income. Family First supports calls from the Make Poverty History campaign that the Australian Government should join other OECD countries by committing to a timetable for overseas aid as a proportion of GNI of 0.7%.

• We strongly support the right of developing countries to economic development, which they are currently restricted from by foreign governments in the name of environmental agendas.
• The UN has put forward its 0.7% of GDP foreign aid goal a multitude of times for a multitude of different reasons – including helping developing countries adapt to climate change. The fact that the number has not changed despite the many different claimed causes leads us to conclude that this number is not based on any serious economic analysis and we have no reason to respect it.
• We believe that foreign aid is useful for emergency relief, but not for economic development as any economy built with foreign aid will depend on continued foreign aid.

• Federal Labor remains committed to increasing official development assistance to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income by 2015-16.
• In the 2010-11 Federal Budget, total Australian official development assistance (ODA) is forecast to increase to $4.3 billion, up from $3.8 billion in 2009-10.
• Beyond 2015-16, as economic and fiscal conditions permit, Federal Labor will progressively increase Australia’s official development assistance until we reach 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income.

Federal Labor remains committed to increasing official development assistance to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income by 2015-16.

This will result in a substantial increase in the aid budget going forward. In the 2010-11 Federal Budget, total Australian official development assistance (ODA) is forecast to increase to $4.3 billion, up from $3.8 billion in 2009-10. Beyond 2015-16, as economic and fiscal conditions permit, Federal Labor will progressively increase Australia’s official development assistance until we reach 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income.

Australians are a generous people. They help out those in need. But they also have every right to expect that our aid dollars are used wisely and have a real impact on the lives of those less fortunate.

Significant progress has been made in reducing poverty since the international community committed to the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, but there is more work to be done.
Federal Labor has placed the Millennium Development Goals at the centre of Australia’s aid program, directing more funds to education, health and other basic services. We have made education a flagship of the aid program to give children in poorer countries a chance to go to school and improve their opportunity for a better life. We have also refocussed the program to improve the quality of Australia’s aid and to make it more accountable.

Our record on international development assistance stands in stark contrast to that of the Coalition. Throughout the former Coalition Government’s term of office, Australia’s contribution to foreign aid averaged only 0.27 per cent of Gross National Income, and hit a low of 0.25 per cent.

Right now, the Coalition’s only policy on foreign aid is a $300 million cut to the foreign aid budget, an action which seriously calls into question the Coalition’s commitment to assist the world’s poorest people.

• The Coalition is fully committed to The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and supports the target of 0.5% of national income in overseas development aid.
• A Coalition government will ensure that Australia’s foreign aid effort is focused on real priorities and is rigorously administered.  Unlike Labor, we will not fritter away the taxpayer-funded aid budget on frivolous activities such as the funding of consultants’ half-million dollar salaries.
• The Coalition supports the UN goal of 0.7% of ODA/GNI ratio as an international aspiration but does not agree with time-bound targets to reach this goal. If our fiscal position improves beyond 2015 we will re-examine our aid budget with a view to reaching the internationally agreed target of 0.7%.

In Government, the Coalition delivered seven consecutive real increases in Official Development Assistance (ODA), lifting our commitment to economic development and poverty alleviation by 62 per cent in real terms. 

Under the Coalition, Australian aid helped the world achieve the MDGs, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.  Our investment in a number of areas included a multi-year $600 million HIV/AIDS commitment, education, health, the environment and climate change closely align with MDG sectors.

As a new party based on sex, gender and personal liberty, we do not have policies developed yet on overseas aid or refugees.

Yes we would and we would seek to get to 1.0% by 2020. We would want to be sure the aid was getting to where it is needed and not used to prop up bad governments.

• CDP acknowledges Australia’s foreign aid is below agreed international standards
• CDP supports an increase in foreign aid to reach at least 0.70% of GNI by 2015.
• CDP supports overseas aid to Christian organizations that cater for displaced Christians fleeing persecution.

Australia’s  overseas aid contributions is expected to reach 0.36% of GNI by 2010, which is well short of the millennium development goals of 0.50% of GNI by 2010 and of 0.70% by 2015.

The CDP particularly supports overseas aid to Christian organizations who cater for displaced Christians who have been fleeing persecution and found refuge in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon and who are in need of food, shelter, education, health care facilities and legal documents.

• The level of overseas aid provided by Australia should always be tied to our sovereign interests and economic prosperity.
• We should contribute as much as we can afford to help less privileged peoples.
• We should not be tied to international targets, but make our own decisions on such issues in a clear, open, and frank manner.

The Secular Party supports this aid commitment. Development aid is important but may be ineffective unless proper standards of governance are in place. Freedom of speech, human rights and the rule of law are preconditions for reducing corruption and limiting the squandering of aid resources. A further aspect of this is separation of religion from the institutions of state, for without this, it is unlikely these preconditions will be met. This is particularly the case in countries where Islam is constitutionally entrenched. Without secularism, many national development efforts will be tragically futile.

The Greens support increasing Australia's overseas aid budget to the level agreed for developed nations – 0.7 percent of Gross National Income by 2015. We also propose that the next government should establish a new Ministry for Overseas Aid and International Development. The Hawke Government had a Minister for Trade and Overseas Development, but it was only in place for one term.

Disagree. We believe that Australia should ensure that our own citizens have proper education and welfare support as the first priority.

12. Chaplaincy

The 2009 research paper, “The Effectiveness of Chaplaincy”, showed that the Federal Government’s National School Chaplaincy Program was supported by more than 97% of the 688 participating school principals, who said that chaplains had been highly effective in providing pastoral care services for students and school communities. Does your Party commit to funding faith-based chaplaincy in schools beyond 2011, and at what level?

The DLP supports the continuation of faith-based chaplaincy beyond 2011 and into the foreseeable future. We see no reason why there should not be a chaplain represented in every Australian school.

• Yes – Recent funding initiatives, supported by Family First, have seen almost 2,000 state schools provided with a chaplain.
• However, to date, about 65% of state schools still do not have access to a school chaplain. Given the vital role that school chaplains play in counselling and mentoring, Family First supports an increase in funding so that a chaplain is available to every school that requests one.

The former Federal Government, with Family First support, committed up to $165 million over three years to assist in the provision of chaplaincy services. As a result, there are now almost 2,000 state schools with a chaplain. Overwhelmingly, school principles support the chaplaincy program. However, to date about 65% of state schools still do not have access to a school chaplain. Given the vital role that school chaplains play in counselling and mentoring, Family First supports an increase in funding so that a chaplain is available to every school that requests one.

• We will support continued funding for chaplaincy programs.

Note: since the launch of australiavotes.org.au the ALP has updated its chaplaincy policy. Please click here for details.

• The Gillard Labor Government is providing an additional amount of $42.8 million to extend the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP), for all participating schools until December 2011.
• A broad consultation process will consider options for possible future pastoral care initiatives following the end of the program in December 2011.
• The Gillard Labor Government is committed to working with school communities, parents and other stakeholders to support the wellbeing and positive development of all Australian school children.

The Gillard Labor Government believes it is important that our schools provide a supportive environment for the wellbeing of students and their families.

Given the success of the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP), an additional amount of $42.8 million has been recently announced to extend the program for all participating schools until December 2011. The extension of the NSCP will ensure that those schools funded under the program will be able to continue to provide valuable support in the provision of student wellbeing services.

In order to ensure the program is well targeted going forward, a broad consultation process will be undertaken with stakeholders.  These consultations will consider options for possible future pastoral care initiatives following the end of the program in December 2011. The process will involve a range of stakeholders including state education departments, major service providers, representatives of independent and faith-based school systems, peak representative bodies for parent and community organisations, principals and other relevant interest groups.

This program demonstrates the Gillard Labor Government’s commitment to working with school communities, parents and other stakeholders to support the wellbeing and positive development of all Australian school children.

• A Coalition Government will make the National School Chaplaincy Programme an ongoing Programme and will continue funding at its present levels - $165 million over 3 years.

Chaplains play a valuable role in schools, supporting students and school communities by offering pastoral care and guidance across religious denominations and beliefs.

The National School Chaplaincy Programme was introduced by the former Coalition Government and enabled schools to employ a part-time school chaplain, with the purpose of providing pastoral care and non-denominational spiritual guidance in schools.  The Programme operates in 1,915 schools where the local community has sought to be involved with the programme, and enjoys strong support among principals, schools and in the community generally.

The chaplaincy programme has been particularly successful in helping students with behaviour management issues and those that may have difficulties in their social relationships.  If the Programme were to cease, this decision would most disadvantage those students that battle with loneliness or bullying at schools and students who have difficulties in their families.

The Coalition has already announced our commitment to continuing support for the great work chaplains are doing in our schools through the National School Chaplaincy Programme.

Labor have responded with only a temporary one year extension to the Programme until the end of 2011, at a reduced funding rate, with a review of the Programme being conducted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

We believe that the National School Chaplaincy Program is a waste of taxpayer’s money and should be stopped immediately.

We believe that this program has delivered good out comes and we would seek to extend it, not only beyond 2011 but even increase its scope to give good counsel to families and students beyond the immediate school community.

• Our party supports chaplaincy as a youth support system.
• Our party does not support chaplaincy for religious instruction.

The Secular Party is opposed to the promotion of the Christian or any other religion by the government in schemes such as the Chaplaincy Program. Chaplains should be replaced by qualified counsellors.

THE GREENS DECLINED TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

Our party would commit to funding faith-based chaplaincy in schools beyond 2011, and at what level. This is to the level of providing at least one full-time chaplain in each medium to large school.

16. Marriage

Marriage is clearly defined in the Marriage Act as the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. Would your Party commit to support this definition for the life of the Government and beyond?

Yes, absolutely and for all time.

• Yes. Marriage is between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others.
• Family First opposes homosexual marriage.
• In redefining families and who a child's parents are, radical legislation is putting long standing protections for children at risk.

Marriage is between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others. When this definition begins to break down, the family suffers. Recent models being considered in Parliaments around Australia include children having numerous parents and 'co-parents'.

For Family First the key question is not about the rights of the parents. Rather, before any issue of ‘parental choice’ or ‘rights’ are considered we believe the wellbeing of any child born into the new relationships being proposed today should be the paramount consideration. Article 7 of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child notes that every child has a right to know and be cared for by its parents. In redefining families and who a child's parents are, radical legislation is putting long-standing protections for children at risk.

• We would allow a conscience vote on this issue.

• Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Australian Labor Party remain committed to maintaining the definition of marriage as currently set out in the Marriage Act as being between a man and a woman.
• Federal Labor has introduced reforms to remove discrimination from 85 Commonwealth laws.  The reforms remove discrimination in areas of Commonwealth activity including taxation, social security, health, aged care, superannuation, immigration, child support and family law. 
• These reforms extend to same sex couples the same entitlements and obligations that apply to opposite sex couples.  Equal treatment means some same-sex couples will get access to benefits they could not previously access.

• The Coalition Governement acted in 2004 to define in legislation that marriage is ‘the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’.

The Coalition believes that this definition reflects the views of the majority of the Australian community and will continue to strongly oppose any action that would alter the status of marriage.  It will also continue to oppose any action which would create confusion over the distinction between marriage and same sex relationships.

The Australian Government does not regulate civil unions and relationship registers.  The regulation of same sex relationships is a matter for the States and Territories.  In that context, the Coalition has no plans to introduce civil unions or relationship registers for same-sex couples.

The Sex Party has not yet answered this question.

Yes, we are totally opposed to “same sex” so-called Marriage.

• The Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party would accept a broader interpretation of marriage other than that within the current Marriage Act, which reflects the reality of our society

The Secular Party is opposed to discrimination on the basis of sexuality and supports same-sex marriage.

THE GREENS DECLINED TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

Our party supports the definition that marriage is clearly defined in the Marriage Act as the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.