The ABC went along to the Make it Count Forum in Brisbane last night and took some excerpts of the LNP's Campbell Newman's address to Christian Leaders.

Click here to listen to the excerpts they took.

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, February 8, 2012



The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed Campbell Newman's willingness to address ChristianLeaders and his forthrightness with them in the lead up to the state election, at tonight’s Make it Count event in Brisbane.

The ACL’s Queensland Director Wendy Francis said Mr Newman’s comments regarding chaplaincy, anti-discrimination legislation, outdoor advertising, adoption and civil unions legislation received a welcome response.

"While ACL would want more proactive action on problem gambling, alcohol restrictions and prostitution, it seems neither major party is willing to take the steps most Christians would expect in these areas," she said.

“Mr Newman’s address praised the work of chaplaincy and noted the positive feedback he’d received in the electorate about this program.

“On the issue of free speech, Mr Newman agreed the anti-discrimination act has been used in the past to suppress free speech.

“It’s also good news to get Mr Newman’s commitment, that if elected, he would fight to see outdoor advertising G-Rated because advertisements today are too sexualised for children to see in public places.

“The LNP leader also said that the LNP had not changed its party position on Civil Unions and would consider what to do with these dependent on where the ALP left them.

“Mr Newman’s comment about removing red tape from adoption processes and promoting adoption to women during unwanted pregnancies is positive for the unborn and will see the state’s abortion rate drop from its present level of 15,000 each year.

"Christians would have wanted more positive action on problem gambling," she said, "Introducing pre-commitment technology is part of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations and is the only real way to solve the issue,” she said.

Ms Francis said it is expected thousands of Christians will watch the web address in the lead up to the March 24th election and that the leaders present had very much appreciated Mr Newman's willingness to take their questions in the absence of the Premier.

The address will be uploaded to http://www.qldvotes.org.au/ in the coming days.

 

Media Release

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Media reports citing Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser as claiming that Health Minister Geoff Wilson attended an Australian Christian Lobby Leaders forum at the 2009 election are incorrect.

ACL’s Queensland Director Wendy Francis said Mr Wilson did not attend such an event in 2009 because no leaders’ Make it Count event was held, as Mr Fraser is reported to have claimed.

“At the 2009 election the Premier declined to participate in our Make it Count event as she has done again this time. Because the Premier’s office and the Qld Labor campaign office delayed and delayed until it was too late, no forum was held at the 2009 election,” she said.

“It is simply a misrepresentation that Geoff Wilson attended our leaders’ forum in 2009 because it was not held because Qld Labor did not cooperate,” she said.

She said the constituency appreciated Mr Wilson’s exercise of his conscience in voting against Mr Fraser’s same-sex civil unions legislation but ACL’s leaders’ forums were for the leaders.

“At state elections in Tasmania, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria we have had the Premier or Deputy Premier and Opposition Leader at our Make it Count leaders’ forums.

“Our Federal Make it Count events at the past two elections have featured Prime Ministers and Opposition Leaders,” Ms Francis said.

“Queensland is the only state where Labor refuses to engage the Christian constituency at ACL Make it Count events.

“We are disappointed by this because we believe the Christian constituency is a significant one that is interested in the good governance of the state.”

MEDIA RELEASE