A series of candidate forums is underway around Australia, as Christians take the opportunity to question those running for political office about their principles and policies.
Christians are vitally interested in issues ranging from gambling harm, foreign aid and concern for the vulnerable to family and child protection and religious freedom.
In letters to party leaders, a coalition of faith leaders and the religious freedom body Freedom for Faith have highlighted areas of concern about diminishing protections for religious freedoms in Australia.
“We were greatly encouraged to see both major parties make a commitment to religious Australians that they wouldn’t go backwards after this election," says one of the leaders, the Bishop of South Sydney, Michael Stead. "We are also heartened that both major parties make a commitment that religious schools would continue to be able to preference hiring staff who share their faith. Having teachers who share the faith of the school is essential to retain and pass on the religious ethos of the school.”
But, Bishop Stead says, neither party engaged with the substance of many of the questions, and in particular did not engage with the faith leaders’ proposals for a Religious Discrimination Bill.
“The Greens did not even bother to reply to our letter,” he says. “In the letter sent to Adam Bandt over a month ago, we highlighted our concerns about the Greens’ platform and their poor voting record on protecting religious freedom. I think that we can expect more of the same in the next term of parliament.
“This is deeply concerning given the prospect of a minority government after the next election. We asked each party whether they would hold to their commitments to freedom of religion if they had to make deals to form a minority government. The Coalition gave this commitment, but Labor did not. As a result, faith communities don’t know where they stand under a Labor-Greens government.
“We call on the Labor Government to assure us that their commitments hold in minority government."
Grassroots meetings
Freedom for Faith has organised more than 40 meetings across the country to allow people to meet and question candidates in their own electorate.
Above: Young Blue Mountains voters listen to the forum
19 of those meetings are in NSW, some in Anglican churches. See the full list here to join in your local electorate or watch a recording at meetyourcandidates.org.au.
One of the meetings, which attracted more than 150 people, was held at Lower Mountains Anglican at Glenbrook.
Labor MP for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, and Liberal candidate Mike Creed attended and took questions, and the night was framed with an address by one of the assistant ministers, Nick Lindeback.
The night was well received in the parish, with one attendee saying, “People are leaving tonight more informed than when they entered, clearer about their role as Christians in voting, and more connected to their ability to be part of change”.
Photos (from left): Labor MP Susan Templeman, Liberal candidate Mike Creed. MC Ellie Barter and LMAP Assistant Minister Nick Lindeback
With thanks to Wolter Peeters Photography
