FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES NEW ACT SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIP LAW

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

The ACT recently passed the most progressive same-sex partnership laws in the country, granting couples the right to legally binding ceremonies, thus throwing down a challenge to the Federal Government who in the past has said that such provisions ''undermined and mimicked'' marriage and would not be allowed. The Federal Government has the power to veto any legislation put forward by a Territory.

Similar attempts in the past to change the law in the ACT to allow legally binding ceremonies between same-sex couples had been disallowed, firstly by the Howard Government and then once before by the Rudd Government since being elected.  The initial reaction of the Federal Government was that it would need to review the legislation in light of whether it's consistent with other national approaches to relationship recognition,'' a spokesman said.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell amended the Bill to exclude heterosexual couples from the new, legally binding civil union ceremonies, after receiving legal advice that extending them to heterosexual couples could be unconstitutional according to the Commonwealth's exclusive powers to legislate with respect to marriage. Under existing laws a partnership is only made official through the signing of documents, and although ceremonies can be held they have no legal status.

After much negotiation Attorney General Robert McClelland agreed to allow celebrants to perform ceremonies for same-sex couples providing the law noted that the registration of the relationship was the "essential requirement" for recognition of the civil union, and which must be done prior to the ceremony itself. The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) believes that the agreement to allow inclusion of ceremonies and celebrants in the ACT legislation is at odds with Federal Labor's pre-election commitment to the Christian constituency not to allow marriage to be mimicked.

Mr McLelland has been trying to avoid another stand-off with the ACT Government whilst honouring Labor's election commitment not to mimic marriage. The ACL believes the compromise to allow for 'wedding ceremonies' and a celebrant for gay civil partnerships is a capitulation to the homosexual movements demands. There has been intense pressure from radical elements within the ALP for full blown gay marriage to be allowed and except for a technicality at law they have now achieved that in the ACT.

In a written response to the ACL on the issue, Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that: "I confirm that the Australian Government's position on marriage has not changed. The Government maintains its long-standing position to support the current definition of marriage as set out in the Marriage Act 1961."  An ACL spokesman said "This compromise to the ACT Government shows the pressure the ALP leadership are under from sections of the Party. It means that protecting the status of marriage in Australia will continue to require constant vigilance and effort.

In an indication that the battle over same-sex marriage in Australia is far from over, Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury said the Greens had decided to accept the changes because there was a chance the Federal Government would sink the whole bill if they didn't. But he said the Rudd Government had shown disrespect to the ACT Legislative Assembly and was continuing to discriminate against same-sex couples. John Kloprogge from the gay rights group Equal Love says he would rather the legislation be ditched completely. "We've always campaigned for a ceremony that has legal effect. These amendments strip away the legal effect of the ceremonies themselves.

BID TO CUT HOMOSEXUALS FROM SURROGACY IN QUEENSLAND LEGISLATION

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

The divisive issue of gay parenting is set to split the Queensland Parliament after the Opposition recently introduced a Bill to ban same-sex couples and single mothers from accessing surrogacy. Opposition deputy leader Lawrence Springborg  moved to trump the Government after it announced draft laws to decriminalise altruistic surrogacy for anyone in Queensland, including homosexual couples and sole parents. But angry Opposition MPs called on the Government to split its Bill, allowing all MPs to vote separately on decriminalising surrogacy for heterosexual couples and then same-sex couples.

The Government refused, but Labor politicians will now be forced to vote on the Opposition's Bill with a conscience vote expected to reveal deep divisions over the issue on all sides of politics. Mr Springborg accused Labor of risking "having the issue hi-jacked by social engineers who wish to use the opportunity to redefine the mainstream understanding of family". Under the laws he introduced, only married and defacto heterosexual couples who have been together for at least two years would legally be able to have a child by surrogate.

"The Bill will make certain that young Queenslanders born through an eligible surrogacy arrangement will be cared for in a safe, stable and nurturing family and home life right through their childhood,"' Mr Springborg said. "Our Bill also makes it clear that the only form of surrogacy which will be legal, will be non-commercial and for heterosexual couples only. Same sex and single surrogacy arrangements will remain illegal." But Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the LNP's Bill was a "disgraceful step backwards for Queensland".

He said. "The Government's draft legislation, which is currently open for public consultation, demonstrates the Bligh Government's commitment to social reform, equality and the importance of family."  Queenslanders who want to express their opposition to same-sex surrogacy can go to "Our wanted Mum and Dad" campaign at www.makeastand.org.au and send off an email to their local MP. A vote on the legislation is expected some time in the New Year.

MORE GOOD NEWS AS EUTHANASIA REJECTED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Source: Compiled by APN from information supplied by Saltshakers

Editors note: This is another of the good news stories kept over from last month. We did not want you to miss it.

In a major breakthrough a bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia was defeated in the South Australian Upper House thanks largely to a change of heart by one Liberal MP. In a conscience vote of 9 for and 11 against, the Legislative Council rejected the euthanasia bill of Greens MLC Mark Parnell at the third reading stage. The defeat of the bill is a fantastic result for pro-life advocates who had already battled five previous attempts to legalise euthanasia in the South Australia parliament since 1995.

When the second reading vote was taken, it was Ann Bressington's vote that sent the euthanasia bill to the Committee stage to consider amendments. When her amendments were defeated, she didn't vote in the final third reading vote. That would have left the vote at 10-10 with the Legislative Council President who said he would support the legislation having the casting vote. Greens MP Mark Parnell gave a summing-up speech - then Family First MP Dennis Hood gave a good speech outlining the flaws in the legislation and saying all MPs should oppose the Bill.

Then Liberal leader David Ridgway changed his position and told the parliament he no longer supported the bill. The ABC reported that "Mr Ridgway told parliament he rethought his position in light of his mother's death last week." The Bill was then defeated by the vote of 11 to 9! This sixth rejection of euthanasia by the parliament hopefully sends a strong message to the Greens that legalised euthanasia is a dangerous practice that no reasonable legislature should accept.

PRAYING AT THE GATES OF OUR NATION - THE GATE OF THE ECONOMY AND TRADE

Source: Australian Prayer Network

No 5 in our occasional series of praying over the gates of our nation.

GATEWAY OF ECONOMY AND TRADE

Definition: Economy

1. Careful, thrifty management of resources, such as money, materials, or labour. An example or result of such management; a saving.
2. The system or range of economic activity in a country, region, or community. A specific type of economic system.
 
Definition: Trade

1. The business of buying and selling commodities; commerce.
2. The people working in or associated with a business or industry.
3. The customers of a specified business or industry; clientele.
4. The act or an instance of buying or selling; transaction.
5. An exchange of one thing for another.
6. An occupation, especially one requiring skilled labour; craft.
 
[Source: www.thefreedictionary.com/economy )

Scriptures
 
Micah 6:10 – 14

10 Am I still to forget, O wicked house, your ill-gotten treasures and the short ephah, which is accursed?
11 Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?
12 Her rich men are violent; her people are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.
13 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins.
14 You will eat but not be satisfied; your stomach will still be empty. You will store up but save nothing, because what you save I will give to the sword.
 
Proverbs 13:11

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Deuteronomy 15: 7 - 11

 7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbour this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for cancelling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
 
Proverbs 22:7

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
 
 
Points to prayerfully consider
 
* Fiscal policy decisions – pray for the government in these decisions, for justice and fairness, so that all Australians can benefit. Also pray for decision makers in banks and financial institutions.

* Equitable access to financial services – pray especially for the availability of relevant services to poorer and less advantaged people e.g. via micro-finance (including micro-loans, savings, financial planning and micro business development)

* The role of fair trade and free trade agreements being pushed by developed nations and their impact on developing nations. What is our responsibility to our poorer neighbours and are we taking this responsibility seriously?

* The role of the G20 group of nations and the shifts in policy with regard to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and International Aid.

* What are the implications of a Sharia banking system? Should our government and businesses adopt policies that satisfy Sharia law in order to access Islamic finance or attract Islamic investment?

* Just management of monies and just measurements – pray for righteousness, justice and fair dealings and that corruption and exploitation would be revealed and turned around.

* Debt in general - growing personal debt, and government debt. Have we learnt anything from the global financial crisis?

* Teaching the next generation the value of money and especially about borrowing and the debt system. Pray for parents, teachers, and people of influence in the lives of children and young people, especially that they would model Godly attitudes and practices with regard to finances and wealth.

* Trade agreements/partnerships – with whom are we aligning ourselves and are we aware of the implications of these partnerships and alliances? In particular, focusing on government (federal, state and local - including sister city agreements) and business.

* Pray that churches and Christian business men and women would lead the way for the rest of the nation, establishing and maintaining righteous foundations and practices in business, economy and trade.
 
Personal considerations
 
Am I becoming a better steward of my finances? (spending, saving, investing, giving)

Where am I giving my monies, do I need to re-evaluate these choices?

How do I contribute to building God’s kingdom?

Do I give generously and cheerfully?

Ethical banking and investment – am I really sure that there has been full disclosure?

With whom am I aligning myself with regards to personal and/or business investment?

What do I treasure and what or whom is my security? 

 

Additional resources
 
Department of the Treasury - www.treasury.gov.au/

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - www.dfat.gov.au/

Australian Trade Commission - www.austrade.gov.au/

ACL – Business and economics - www.acl.org.au/national/browse.stw?topic_id=135

Group of 20 nations (G-20) - www.g20.org/

Shariah Finance Watch - www.shariahfinancewatch.org.//blog/category/australia/

Black Gold movie (also available in your local DVD shop). www.youtube.com/blackgoldmoviedotcom#p/u

World Vision – Don’t trade lives campaign
www.worldvision.com.au/OurWork/Solutions/DontTradeLives.aspx

 

A CALL TO GIVE GOD THE FIRST DAY OF 2010 - FRIDAY 1st JANUARY 2010

Source: Compiled by APN from information supplied by Generation Fire

The Australian Prayer Network is pleased to be able to issue a challenge from the leadership of Generation Fire, a youth prayer movement operating in Australia, to give God the first day of 2010. A prophetic word was received in a recent meeting of their leadership team in the following words:
  
Will you give over to me a NEW DAY, the First day of the New Year?

The Lord was earnest in his asking. 
Can we give over this day as a present to Him,
Can we set aside a day of distraction to be focussed,
To wait without striving,
To listen to His spirit,
To still ourselves in His presence,
To be obedient even if He says nothing?
This is not a simple ask, it is hard to be still when we are so used to “doing stuff” but it will be worth it because He who loves us so intently asks.
 
We need to learn how He wants to prepare each of us individually for the tasks we are invited to participate in. The Father has a passion for us to live in His vision. It may be a time of contention,  because God is speeding up time / processes / development etc to raise up His children to be the strong people in Him he desires. We need transformation in our lives.  The old person should be nailed to a cross, for the new person needs to breath and shout out the Joy of knowing who God is.

This is how you can be involved. Where ever you are - set aside this day. If you are led, facilitate a "Furnace" gathering with others where you can wait upon him, where you can soak, worship, burn and pray.
 
If you are able to organise an event email the details (time and venue etc) to info@generationfire.com.au so they can post the details on their website. If you cannot organise an event simply set aside personal time on that day to spend with the Lord, committing the year to Him in prayer.