The Christian Democratic Party has called Family First's decision not to contest the NSW State Election in 2007 an "answer to prayer'.

The NSW State Director of Family First, Dr Ivan Herald met with the Christian Democrats State President, the Rev Fred Nile and State Director Phil Lamb in December to advise them that the fledgling party would not be contesting candidates.

Mr Lamb, a member of St Faith's, Narrabeen, called Dr Herald's initiative a "kind gesture' and expressed CDP's deep appreciation towards the party.

"This has major wonderful implications for the Christian Democratic Party " [we have] an excellent chance of being re-elected into the NSW Upper House in 2007," Mr Lamb says.

The Christian Democrats were concerned that the entrance of Family First into NSW would "split the Christian vote'. 

Mr Lamb says the optional preferential system in place in NSW means that very few preference votes flow on to the number two or three candidates.

"There would be two Christian-based parties competing for the same votes," Mr Lamb says.

However, Dr Herald took issue with the tag of "Christian party'.

"In saying we would be splitting the Christian vote, Phil Lamb is quite deliberately trying to align us as a Christian party, which is not the way we promote ourselves. We are a party promoting family values," Dr Herald says.

He says Family First is not contesting the State election in 2007 because the party is relatively new and does not want to stretch its resources. 

"With two elections in 2007" we made a choice to go for the Federal election. It's a matter of conserving resources and applying them to where we can get the best productivity," he says.

However, a Family First member told Southern Cross that the party did not acquire the 750 memberships needed by the end of November last year to become a registered party.

Dr Herald declined to comment on whether the lack of membership played a role in the decision.

Fred Nile is also optimistic about the CDP's prospects for the next election.

"The CDP is hoping to increase their vote and get two seats at the next election. We have a good chance of maintaining our current support and doubling it," Mr Nile says.

In an email to CDP supporters, Mr Lamb said the decision means the two parties could work together in the future.
"With this one miracle, what further miracles are possible to see the Christian Democratic Party and the Family First party work more cooperatively together in the future? Might we see Family First supporting CDP in NSW in 2007?" he says.

However, Dr Herald has warned Mr Lamb to avoid putting too much hope into last December's gesture.

"The CDP should not assume that if we're not running [in the next election] our people will help them. What he's trying to do is align the two parties as kissing cousins," Dr Herald says.

A 2005 survey of over 400 non-CDP members showed that almost 90 per cent believe there is a place for a political party with Christian values in NSW.

A similar percentage believed a Christian party should be involved in more than just morals issues. Almost half of respondents said the label of "moral crusaders' put many Christians off voting for the party.

Meanwhile Family First maintains its strongest support in South Australia and Victoria after Victorian senator Steve Fielding won a seat in parliament following the 2004 federal election.

This story appears in the February edition of Southern Cross.