As a new party, Australian Christians has set about developing policies that are positive, sound and refreshing.

We are here to offer new hope to all Australians because we place great value on the life and dignity of every citizen.

We believe we have formulated gold standard policies, based on biblical principles that give each Australian, no matter how old or young, strong or frail, the very best protection and support.

The hallmark of our policies is a belief that our parliaments should do all it can to promote a strong economy and a vibrant society based on healthy families and thriving communities. So you will find in our policies a strong emphasis on social justice with responsibility.

As families are the building block and foundation of our society, we believe all legislation presented to parliament should be subject to family impact statement in the same way any infrastructure project is subject to an environmental impact statement. The results should be made available to the public.

The Bible is our benchmark and gold standard giving us positive solutions to the problems that confront us in our homes and workplaces.

We believe the time is right to Vote 1 Australian Christians.

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Marriage and Parenting

Marriage needs to be supported, not redefined. We would not vote for same sex marriage.

God teaches us in the Bible that the traditional family is the God-ordained unit of our society and is the basis of a nation’s strength. The family begins when a husband and wife become married. This relationship is reflective of the love God has for His people. The family then grows as children are born into it.

Women are our strength in our nation and deserve to be recognised in their choice to stay at home to care for their young children when they choose to do so. Families should be protected and strengthened, since they are the places where the future generations are nurtured.

Australian Christians supports strategies to restore the importance of fatherhood and turn the tide of fatherlessness in Australia. Australian Christians will develop strategies to create mentoring programs for men and boys, encourage individuals and organisations to promote a positive image of fatherhood in the media and the community, review all curriculum approaches/materials used in schools and teaching/training institutions to ensure that they present positive fathering images.

Australian Christians would support and promote free pre-marriage education for all couples.

Australian Christians will develop strategies to improve mediation outcomes between separated or divorced parents.  Australian Christians will introduce a system of mandatory mediation as the method of achieving agreement among parents and children on how the family relationships will be restructured following divorce.

Child Welfare and the Sexualisation Of Children

Australian Christians believe children are a blessing to their families and to the nation of Australia. Australian Christians recognises children as a vulnerable part of society and, therefore, should be protected through cogent legalisation. This is the foundation on which our child welfare policies have been developed. Australian Christians value the importance of the role both a mother and a father figure serve in the development of a child and believe children have the right to have both male and female parent figures in their life. Therefore, we do not support same-sex couples rearing children as we strongly believe a male and female presence is essential to guide and nurture a child.

Divorce and separation causes mental and emotional stress upon children. Hence, Australian Christians believe that the government needs to work alongside families facing marriage breakups to provide the best opportunity for the child. The government should fund a free service for couples in need or want of counselling services.

We believe the child is best served when major decisions about his/her life are made by both parents.

Prostitution

Australian Christians protects the value and dignity of every person, male and female. It declares that prostitution is a modern form of slavery and exploitation.

There is no such thing as a safe environment for prostitution; it breaks all the normal occupational health and safety requirements that are applied to other industries.

We also support the provision of safe exit strategies for those currently involved in prostitution. We support the development of legislation based on the Nordic Model where those who use prostitutes are prosecuted, thus discouraging men from harassing women in the street.   Legalising brothels only increases the demand for sex and therefore the number of prostitutes in this dangerous trade. Our policy is based on a desire to support families structure and ensuring that marriage, and women in particular, are not harmed by prostitution.

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

Addictions can come in many forms and affect anyone and everyone. It should be understood that the impact of addiction is felt by family, friends and the general community.

Addiction affects the wealthy and poor, young and old, male and female, married and single. Our drug, alcohol and tobacco policies are founded on our love and care for our fellow citizens. The Government is duty bound to care for the wellbeing of individuals who are suffering from addictions, and their families. Legislation must clearly state that drugs are destructive to the individual, the family and the community. The current approach by successive governments is giving mixed messages to the next generation of Australians.

In relation to drugs, Australian Christians will introduce legislation that have a ‘zero tolerance’ approach and focus on abstinence and rather than on how to use ‘safely’.

In relation to smoking, Australian Christians supports the continuation of all forms of advertisement warning of the harmful health effects of tobacco.

In relation to alcohol, Australian Christians supports increasing the legal age to 21.

Australian Christians supports Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation programs which clearly aim to free addicts from their dependency rather than maintaining them on various drugs for the duration of their life.

Education

All parents must have the right to choose the school for their children that supports the beliefs, traditions and values of their home life. The feasibility of an education voucher system should be investigated. We support the call by Christians Schools Australia to develop tax incentives or other concessional arrangements to provide incentives for private funds to invest in school facilities.

Australian Christians will strongly supports religious schools in selecting students or staff that uphold the ethos of the school.

Governments need to maintain a fair and equitable funding system between private and public schools and not determined by ideology, sector or governance.

We support many aspects of a national curriculum as a means of providing uniformity between states, however, Australian Christians is concerned that the curriculum can be used as a political tool to push certain values while ignoring other values. In its current form the curriculum is open to manipulation by social engineers. The WA Government should seek a fairer process of curriculum development by means of an independent panel of qualified personnel (representing the main stakeholders: students, parents, teachers, universities & TAFE, employers, and government). Curriculum development must be accountable to the main stakeholders in education and it should not be led predominantly by academics, politicians and bureaucrats.

Transport

Australian Christians acknowledges that the cost of transport is an important part of any household and business budget.

AC supports the timely development of a safe and sustainable public transport system in keeping with the rapid development of our cities

Australian Christians believes that alternative fuels should be developed to give Australia less vulnerability to international price shocks.

Australian Christians believes that the Government needs to spend significantly more on improving cycle ways and facilities for cyclists. The planning laws should be used to encourage property developers to have an allocation for cycle bays, in a similar way that the Government now demands a certain number of care bays be available depending on the scope of the project.

Older Australians

Australian Christians believes that our older Australians have contributed significantly over their lifetime to make Australia what it is today:  a prosperous, stable and enjoyable society which remains the envy of many overseas countries.

In view of their past contributions to the development of our Christian Australian culture, older people deserve special support and recognition. As many become weaker physically and mentally as they age, Australian Christians believes extra effort should be made to ensure that they are protected and cared for in love. Australian Christians will develop legislation in the areas of taxation, transport, housing, education and health that show support for our older citizens.

Carers and Disability

We believe the NDIS system should be supported and properly funded.

Australian Christians upholds the dignity and value of all human life and the fact that every human life is – created in the image of our God and Maker.

People with disabilities are entitled to the same dignity and recognition as all other citizens and deserve special support from all levels of government and our Australian communities.

Australian Christians will therefore work towards creating an Australian community that meaningfully and properly recognises the differences and needs of all citizens, regardless of their individual and family circumstances.

For too long, the support offered to disabled persons has largely been provided by their families and friends. Government assistance has been woefully inadequate.

Consequently, both carers and those receiving care require urgent and significant support in a number of areas. Carers are the unsung heroes and need to be supported.

Health

Australian Christians affirms that all Australians, irrespective of their income or location, should have access to essential health services. However the ever increasing cost of health services to the public purse requires that individuals do what they reasonably can to care for and maintain their own health. Australian Christians supports the introduction of government/industry education campaigns to promote healthy diets, lifestyles and strong families.

Economic Policy

Australian Christians affirms that the objective of a good economic policy is to enhance the welfare of the Australian people and families.

Good economic policy should reward entrepreneurs and businesses for the financial risks and the initiative they take.  At the same time, governments should use economic policy to protect the vulnerable and disadvantaged without creating a people’s welfare mentality.

Environment & Climate Change

Australian Christians believes that environmental issues are important because the environment is God-given and sustains life.

Humans have an obligation to responsibly manage the environment and to mitigate, where feasible, environmental change and pollution.

The following are 10 Key Aims which form the basis of our long-term Environmental Policy.

1. Recognising our shared global responsibility in reducing pollution.

2. Land use management which enhances environmentally sustainable development.

3. Protecting natural biodiversity and areas of significance.

4. Ensuring water and air quality for a. human health and b. the living environment.

5. Managing vegetation and ensuring soil quality for sustainable agricultural production and long-term food security.

6. Improving waste management and improving waste recovery.

7. Protection and enhancement of shoreline, estuarine and riparian zones.

8. Ensuring sustainable resource development.

9. Moving towards sustainable and balanced production and consumption.

10. Promoting technologies and initiatives which enhance improved sustainability.

Housing and Accommodation

Housing is one of the necessities of life. For Australian Christians a family home is more than just a material asset. It is central to family life and the raising of the next generation. It is also essential for the disabled, the poor, the aged and other marginalised groups.

Religious Freedom & Christian Heritage

Australian Christians believes that as Australians we have much to be thankful for when considering our religious freedom and Christian heritage. Australian Christians believes that successive Federal, State and Local governments across Australia have a responsibility to uphold the Christian principles at the root of our national heritage as these Christian principals remain true and relevant also for today.

Australian Christians supports the retention of Christian prayers at the outset of each daily parliamentary session.

Australian Christians believes that governments have a duty to allow the Church to continue to preach the Gospel unhindered.

Small Business

Australian Christians acknowledges that the small business sector provides employment to many WA families who need to work hard for a living; small and medium sized retailers are consequently worthy of special support and consideration. Australian Christians firmly opposes the recent deregulation of retail trading hours and note that the 2005 Retail Trading Hours referendum was soundly defeated across the State. Australian Christians believes the will of the people expressed at the referendum should be respected by Parliament and that this issue should not be debated any further.

Australian Christians believes a review of the effects of Sunday Trading should be held to investigate what impact deregulated trading has had on small business, sporting groups, religious organisations and charities, individuals, families and work conditions.

Media, Internet and Censorship

Media, including television, films and the internet, play an increasingly influential role in the formation of public opinion and taste. Children, including teenagers, are especially vulnerable to media influence. Aggressive and pornographic media is now making inroads into mainstream advertising and merchandising.

Society has a moral duty to limit what can be conveyed by the media in order to protect children and the whole community from what is harmful, especially violent and pornographic content.

Rural Issues

Australian Christians believes that Australia must continue to have a competitive, sustainable and profitable rural sector since independent family farms are a vital part of the social and economic fabric of Australian society.

However, the primary emphasis should be placed on the actual well-being of rural people and communities rather than on the “paper performance” of a few rural industries.

Rural people and communities should reap an equitable share of the rewards of their production. Programs must be developed to help farmers and their families to stay on the land and earn sufficient income.

State and Federal governments have a responsibility to ensure that rural people have access to government offices, banks, hospital, medical and other vital services. Where such services are not economically viable to private enterprise, the State and Federal governments have a duty to intervene in some fashion.

The Government has a responsibility to provide taxation and regulatory incentives for decentralisation, creation of new enterprises and expansion of existing enterprises and businesses in rural areas.

Water Management

The Australian Christians believes that God created and requires mankind to use natural resources for mankind’s benefit but in a responsible manner such that these resources are not exploited. Water is such a resource.

Pro-Life Issues

Australian Christians believes that mankind is create in the image of God and therefore deserve to be treated in all circumstances with dignity and respect. This is the foundation on which our prolife policies have been developed.

Abortion

As a compassionate caring nation, Australia needs to find a better way to deal with un-planned pregnancies; a way that produces a positive outcome for the mother, father and the baby.

No taxpayer’s money should ever be spent on anything that does not produce this positive outcome.

Australian Christians affirm that all life is valuable. Extra effort is required by the community and our health professionals to defend the vulnerable and those without a voice. We believe strong laws are required to protect these Australians including babies still in the womb.

We support better funding and support for women with unplanned, and unwanted pregnancies, including those with medical and psychosocial co-morbidities, and we support abstinence programs that have been shown to work in reducing indiscriminate sexual behaviour.

Euthanasia

Australian Christians affirm that all life is valuable and that everyone should do all in their power to support and protect the most vulnerable in our families and communities. We believe there is a very clear demarcation between giving good compassionate medical care to the very end of a patient’s life and deliberate interference or assistance for the express purpose of ending that life.

We understand from palliative care specialists that people do not need to die in pain therefore we promote better funding for quality palliative care services rather than legalising euthanasia. Governments should never compromise the medical profession and its goal to ‘first do no harm’. Governments must never have the option of finding it easier to fund death rather than life.

Legalising euthanasia and especially Physician Assisted Suicide sends a wrong message to people – especially the young – that it is OK to want to die and kill yourself if things are too tough.

History shows us that voluntary euthanasia always moves to involuntary – it has been agreed by enquiries there is no way of stopping this.

We believe every Australian should have the right to caring, compassionate and expert medical care until life’s natural end without discrimination re age, disability or ability to pay.

Infanticide

In the face of proposals that children with severe disabilities be either directly killed or denied life-saving medical treatment, Australian Christians observes that it should always be unlawful to kill any child by an act of commission or omission.

With respect to babies born alive after an abortion procedure, every effort should be made to keep the baby alive. These babies must never be put in a corner to simply die. Even when abnormality inconsistent with life is present these babies should be treated with dignity and at the very least wrapped and nursed.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Australian Christians is sympathetic to the concern of married couples that cannot have children and realizes that the decision to use IVF often comes after all other avenues are tried to have children. Because of our concern for the welfare of children, Australian Christians is opposed to any use of reproductive technology by persons other than married couples. We believe every child is entitled to have a father and mother who are publicly committed to each other for life.

Australian Christians encourages couples to seek help from organizations such as Fertility Care that offer treatment for infertility that is consistent with a pro-life ethic.

Human Embryo Research and Cloning

Australian Christians embraces technological development but not at any cost. We believe it is morally wrong to do any research on human embryos that result in their harm or destruction. Therefore, we support the rescinding of State and Federal legislation permitting such research.

We oppose all human cloning and the creation of chimeras (human/animal hybrids). Australian Christians support and encourage research using adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells, as a means of developing better health outcomes for as this does not involve the destruction of human life. Most research and all successful therapies to date have been done using adult stem cells.

Asylum Seekers and Immigration

Regarding stopping dangerous boat journeys, we believe the Australia Government should investigate opening a refugee processing facility, in conjunction with Indonesia and under the governance of the UNHCR in Indonesia. This could be staffed by Indonesians, providing employment for the locals, under the management of Australia personnel, and jointly funded by Australia, UNHCR and Indonesia. 

Regarding refugee intake in general, in light of the upsurge in religious persecution of Christian and other religious minorities in Middle Eastern and African nations, we believe preference should be given to persecuted Christians and other persecuted religious minorities.

Local Government

Australian Christians recognises the importance of a healthy, vibrant and efficient local government sector as a major contributor to the health and wellbeing of strong local communities.