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The biggest winner in the recent Australian federal elections was the
Australian electorate who have the blessing of living in a country with
a democratic political system. When one considers the misery experienced
by so many citizens in countries ruled by dictatorships, military cabals
or theocratic Islamic regimes, we are fortunate indeed. Nor is our good
fortune merely because we are a relatively prosperous country. Saudi Arabia
is very wealthy; not long ago it had the luxury of making petrol available
to its citizens at a few cents a gallon. However half the Saudi population,
women, lead blighted lives with little freedom of any kind. Ironically,
Saudi women are not allowed to drive so they can't benefit from all that
cheap petrol.
Australian good fortune in enjoying democracy is because of our Judaeo-Christian
heritage and our historical links with Britain, the cradle of parliamentary
democracy. Our closely contested federal election was free of violence
and corruption, and it was clear the electorate did not even like the
"political assassination" of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
It was significant that the "right-wing" NSW Labor faction had
to find a left-wing Emily's List feminist, Julia Gillard, to wield the
“political knife-in-the-back”. Emily's Listers who support the
abortion of unborn babies even through the horrendous partial-birth procedure,
do not have much squeamishness in administering the 'midnight knock on
the door' to tell a hapless bloke "your time is up".
Some conclusions from the elections: The Coalition needs to sort out its
Paid Parental Leave policy. It not only discriminates against full-time
homemakers, it also discriminates between career women, some of whom will
get $75,000 and others might only get $20,000. The Coalition might have
won victory in its own right if it had not neglected its natural constituency,
traditional families.
More importantly, it was sad that the funding of abortions was not an
issue in the election campaign. This represents a failure by pro-life
organisations and the Christian churches in this country, as compared
to the USA, where abortion funding is a major issue. We have not yet been
able to effect a cultural change in Australia so that conservative politicians
can proudly proclaim they are pro-life. Christian churches in Australia
also failed to publicly support pro-life parties such as the Democratic
Labor Party and the Christian Democratic Party, or condemn the pro-abortion
plank in the Australian Labor Party platform.
However, we now have to deal with the menace of the Greens who will hold
the balance of power in the Senate. The danger is not merely the election
of the Greens per se, but the foolishness of a citizenry capable of electing
so many of them. (One of the pitfalls of democracy!) It will be easier
to limit and undo the follies of the Greens than to restore the necessary
common sense and good judgment to an electorate willing to have elected
them.
Cardinal George Pell of Sydney has been one church leader who has been
unequivocal in pointing out the anti-Christian policies of the Greens
- their support for abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage and their
antipathy to government funding of independent schools, most of which
are Christian. Green policies on a carbon tax, closing coal-fired power
stations and opposition to building dams, will also increase costs of
electricity and water for ordinary families.
It is Greens’ death-promoting policies that most concern us. Across
the world, the push for accepting the new culture of death continues;
there is pressure for assisted suicide and euthanasia to become an acceptable
and even hallowed part of the social fabric. There are Bills pending in
WA, SA and Tasmania, so we hope many of our supporters can come and hear
Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.
Endeavour Forum Inc. Public Meeting Opposing Euthanasia and Assisted
Suicide
7.30 pm on Wednesday, 13 October 2010 at the O'Hanlon Centre, Mitchell
St., Mentone, Vic. 3194. (Car parking in St. Patrick's School grounds,
entrance via Childers St).
International Guest Speaker: Mr. Alex Schadenberg,
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition,
speaking on "Caring, not Killing".
The meeting will be chaired by Mr. Peter Kavanagh, MLC (DLP, Vic), and
the Opening Prayer will be said by His Lordship, Bishop Peter Elliott,
DD. The vote of thanks will be given by Mr. Ken Francis, Secretary, Life
Coalition. All welcome, $5 donation appreciated. RSVP: Mrs. Prue Oldham,
(03) 9583 6835 or Mrs. Margaret Butts, (03) 8588 1792.
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