Putting the family first
The Family First has received a bit of coverage recently, particularly as the Coalition has entered into preference deals directing preferences to Family First ahead of Meg Lees in South Australia, despite Howard’s endorsement of the way that she operates as an independent. One of the things that has been raised by commentators is whether the party is a “Christian” party in the sense of representing the christian church. Family First say it is not, that it is simply a conservative family values party whose candidates often happen to go to church.
So I thought I would dig up a little information about the candidates, at least in Victoria.
Steve Fielding - lead senate candidate for Victoria is according to this article a member of the CityLife Church in Wantirna (formerly Waverley Christian Fellowship), a pentecostal church.
But the one that really should be familiar (even without the reporting) is
Danny Nalliah - the second senate candidate on the ticket, a name which should be well known to as all as a defendant in the prosecution under the racial and religious villification laws currently under consideration by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Mr Nalliah is a pastor of Catch the Fire Ministries. The prosecution of Pastor Nalliah is as a result of statements made at a Catch the Fire seminar which are alleged to have vilified Muslims. In cross examination in that case, he is reported to have said that Muslim MPs would not be good for Australia (a report which I presume is true because the article is duplicated on the Catch the Fire website. Peter Costello recently spoke at a National Day of Thanksgiving organised by Catch the Fire.
It seems strange that the above article talks about the value that the litigation will bring to Pastor Nalliah’s campaign, but his profile on the website makes no mention of his involvement in the case, or indeed that he is involved with catch the fire ministries or any other church organisation. In fact, from the profile itself, one would get the opinion that he is a sales and marketing manager. UPDATE - his nomination at the Australian Electoral Commission lists his occupation as “president”.
UPDATE - the South Australian branch page has more information about detailed policies of Family First, including speeches made by their sitting member of the legislative council. It goes into a lot more detail, and in more religious language often than the national site.
September 22nd, 2004 at 6:58 pm
What strikes me about the Family First Party is that it doesn’t make it’s member’s background patently obvious. Andrew Evans for example, pastored Klemzig AOG which then became Paradise AOG (and hit the papers for the largest non commercial bank loan taken to finance the building) and then Paradise Community Church. I think he was there for 20 or 30 years. His face is certainly well known down here in Adelaide and I met him a few times when he was still pastor. One of his sons pastors the church now (seems to be a trend in both AOG churches and politics!). But a few months ago the bio on this site only mentioned he headed up an Aged Care organisation and you had to read his maiden speech to get any hint of his employment history. Other pollies are also a bit selective on their sites, and there have been plenty of other clerics who have served in parliament, but I really don’t get how you can just not mention what has been your significant’s life work. I can take a guess….
September 22nd, 2004 at 6:58 pm
What strikes me about the Family First Party is that it doesn’t make it’s member’s background patently obvious. Andrew Evans for example, pastored Klemzig AOG which then became Paradise AOG (and hit the papers for the largest non commercial bank loan taken to finance the building) and then Paradise Community Church. I think he was there for 20 or 30 years. His face is certainly well known down here in Adelaide and I met him a few times when he was still pastor. One of his sons pastors the church now (seems to be a trend in both AOG churches and politics!). But a few months ago the bio on this site only mentioned he headed up an Aged Care organisation and you had to read his maiden speech to get any hint of his employment history. Other pollies are also a bit selective on their sites, and there have been plenty of other clerics who have served in parliament, but I really don’t get how you can just not mention what has been your most significant life work. I can take a guess….
October 1st, 2004 at 4:32 pm
Here’s my exhaustive insiders take on all matters Family First. Please read it.
http://baliset.blogspot.com/2004/10/family-first-one-christians-view.html
October 1st, 2004 at 5:02 pm
Here’s my exhaustive insiders take on all matters Family First. Please read it.
http://baliset.blogspot.com/2004/10/family-first-one-christians-view.html
October 2nd, 2004 at 12:25 am
I’m personally involved with Family First and I believe it’s impact will be incredibly positive on the future of our nation. I’m amazed at the level of negativity aired in the public realm.
October 10th, 2004 at 6:22 pm
I don’t think there is anything wrong with christians getting involved in politics. We are in a new age of discrimination against christians and I think it’s discusting. If non-christians are allowed into parliament to promote there views whether they be pagan, humanistic, atheistic or whatever, then christians are allowed to represent and be represented too.
October 11th, 2004 at 8:51 am
I agree Melinda. But, I also would like to see some demonstration of integrity and honesty. The Family First canditates should be open and forthcoming about their backgrounds - for who many are clergy. As a minister myself, I don’t think they should be ashamed of what they do or did do and when they hide it I cringe.
October 11th, 2004 at 2:27 pm
Who was it again, that Jesus said should be first? I don’t think it was our own families was it?
October 11th, 2004 at 9:20 pm
Gary, I’m surprised that you’re surprised to find negativity in the public realm! Where else can people discuss their views and ideas? Certainly not in the Church - that would be … not supporting the vision! Healthy debate and different views politically should be encouraged -God forbid that we are all the same. I just hope Family First doesn’t convince the rest of the nation that all christians (including we AOG christians) automatically think like them.
October 13th, 2004 at 10:09 am
Thought this may be of interest: A letter of complaint I wrote to NSW FF state office.
I am writing as a member of the AOG church to express my disappointment over Family First.
I am a committed member and leader in Hawkesbury Church Windsor (Ps Joan Woods’ church) and until this election, have been proud of my denomination and my church. However, in the attempt of Family First to jump into Federal politics I have become ashamed to say I am a Pentacostal Christian.
There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, I feel as though Family First has been less than honest with the Australian people, or extremely naive (I hope it’s the latter). Repeatedly, Family First has denied they are a church party and that there are strong links between the party and the church. As a member of an AOG church I know for a fact this is simply not true. Eight members of my church are running for seats in the lower and upper houses. Practically everyone else who is standing for a seat is AOG or at least a Christian. If Family First is serious about proving they are not an AOG party then perhaps they should find some candidates elsewhere. For several weeks the fact our senior pastor is running for the Senate has been mentioned from the pulpit as well as exhortations to help her in her campaign. Private email addresses and phone numbers given to the church for church use have been used to call people asking for their help in the election campaign and also used to distribute political material to church members. I believe this is actually illegal, as well as crossing the very fine line between church and state. I also know the AOG sees Family First as its “platform to influence the nation”. Yet, when any of these issues and inconsistencies have been broadcasted in the media, the party has claimed the media is hounding them. This may be true. But if the issues were not there in the first place then there would be no publicity of them. As a journalist, I thoroughly believe the media has an important role in this area as people deserve to know the truth.
Secondly, it has been extremely divisive. I saw Peter Harris interviewed in regard to comments made by senate candidate Danny Naillah about Islam and those made by a Queensland volunteer about burning lesbiams at the stake. He could not deny the comments, but tried to pass off Mr Naillah’s as “personal opinion” and said he would not disendorse the candidate. I could not believe such divisive, racist comments could be made by people claiming to be Christians. The fact the party did not take a stand on this issue simply divided me further from it, and as a consequence, my church, which saddens me. Also, the fact the party has almost unanimously given preferences to the Liberal Party is, for me, untenable. Now any Christian who usually votes Labor (and there are plenty of them) cannot vote Family First. And again, those of us who are not necessarily conservative feel alienated from the party and the church.
I actually agree with several of the policies of Family First. I also disagree with some of them. What I, and a lot of other people in the church, are upset about is an attempt to politicise the pulpit and then deny that it’s happening. I also dislike the fact the party claims its policies are “Christian based”. If you claim a certain stance is the “Christian” stance, then anyone who doesn’t agree is alienated not only from the political opinion, but Christianity. Many of the stances that are claimed to be “Christian” I don’t agree with, and yet I am absolutely a committed Bible-believing Christian.
I hope you have taken the time to read this email. I can only hope after the election we can all get back to what Jesus asked us to do - love God, love people and get them saved. I also hope I can keep on in the AOG church when I am, quite frankly, quite disillusioned.
Thanks for your time,
Emma Whale
October 18th, 2004 at 9:33 pm
Rachel, my surprise is the overwhelmingly negative response. I agree that it’s healthy to have open debates, but very few seem to have any supportive views - perhaps I’m too optimistic. FF have a good track record in SA and now that a presence at the Federal level is almost assured we will build upon that reputation.
August 1st, 2005 at 11:09 am
I am fed up with trying to get a loan due to circumstances beyond my control I find myself in debt. I am just a woman who through no fault of my own find myself in this situation.
All financial consultants state “the only way out is to find someone who can get you a loan the other way is bankruptcy”. I will not cop out of my responsibilities to repay what I owe.
All church groups cannot help me but can help druggies and others who I know abuse the system yet I who am prepared to pay back the loan I need cannot achieve this.
I am continully told that if I was a druggie or had several kids to several fathers or am out on the street or have put myself in danger with suicide then they can help.
Should you not help people before they get to that stage? What does this tell me commit a crime and help will come. Attempt suicide and help will be provided. Enough is enough if anyone out there reads this and can help or knows where I can obtain a loan unsecured to get back on my feet please help. I continue to pray to God that my prayers will be answered I will not give up my faith I do not wont charity I need a loan. Please help. All I can do is keep the faith and god will provide. Amen.
November 26th, 2005 at 6:15 pm
I do not know what the problem is ????
There are many Christians and members of other faiths with their bums on seats in both Federal and State Gorvenments.
If they prove themselves honest & capable of running the Country on my behalf, I for one do not care if they believe in Santa Clause
December 6th, 2005 at 4:24 am
I think it is inapropriate to think that the only people in our country that matter to the Co-Alition are the family people; $3000 no questions asked baby bonus.
Not every Australian has babies. The last time I noticed it was only the female gender of our species that gives birth.
August 17th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Excuse me, but is it Emma Whale or Emma Whake? If it is Emma Whale, do you have a nephew Luke? If not nevermind.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Hi Julia, it’s been ages since I’ve logged on here so I hope you get this, yes it is Emma Whale, not Emma Whake (not sure how that happened!) and I did have a nephew Luke. Have you read the Redaer’s Digest article?
Emma