SPECIAL EDITION: ELECTION GUIDE Voice for Values NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016

July 2: The most Image: WilliamWest. AFP. GettyImages AFP. WilliamWest. Image: important

electionI inWILL a • No people's vote on marriage • Same-sex marriage • Will hold people's vote generation legislated by October (plebiscite) on marriage • Will fund so-called "Safe • Won't renew funding for Schools" so- called "Safe Schools"

This federal election is the But even more importantly, the are concerned about righteousness most important election future of what children are taught at and justice. However, this seismic school and even their very right to be shift on social policy has been in a generation. And for nurtured by their mum and dad is at accompanied by a growing hostility Christians like you and me, stake. there is nothing less than towards Christians and those who Australian social policy has taken a share our views on marriage … our very place in Australian big shift to the extreme left in the last society riding on the decade. Christians cannot be so easily (continued on page 2) outcome of July’s vote. pigeonholed as being left or right. We

Discover the truth Inside We must demand more for Volunteer for our biggest about Labor’s rainbow the world’s poorest and most election campaign ever P4 ! vulnerable P2-3 policy positions >> Labor’s rainbow national How our schools became platform P5 Turn to page 5 to read about so unsafe P3 the ALP’s plans to give the From Lyle to you P6 gay lobby privileged status in Anti-discrimination laws hinder free speech P4 government decision-making. There’s more at stake this (continued election than marriage from page 1) … and family. an extraordinary attack on the then Anglican of , Kevin Rudd’s rise and fall is a perfect Rev. Dr Peter Jensen, and his views example. Elected Prime Minister in 2007 on marriage. “This whole issue drips after assiduously courting the Christian with hypocrisy,” Turnbull told the vote, in the 2013 election campaign House of Representatives, “and the he turned on the constituency in pools are deepest at the feet of the spectacular fashion. sanctimonious.” “Labor is committed Bill Shorten has also had a go. Speaking to ACL supporters at our national to changing the conference in 2014, he accused an definition of unspecified group of Christians of marriage within “hiding behind the Bible to insult and demonise people based on who they 100 days if elected.” love”. It is against this backdrop of Asked by Pastor Matt Prater on the ABC’s growing antagonism towards Christians Q&A about his views on marriage, Rudd that the July 2 election must be considered. to changing the definition of marriage ridiculed Pastor Matt, the Bible, and by within 100 days if elected. Bill Shorten implication, millions of people of faith Marriage has become a touchstone has explicitly said Labor would provide for their antiquated views. “Well, mate,” issue for measuring the suitability of no protections for the religious freedom Rudd snapped, “if I was going to have someone’s place in Australian society. of lay people who do not agree with that [biblical] view [of marriage], the Increasingly, Christians are finding same-sex marriage. Bible also says that slavery is a natural themselves on the wrong side of elite A marriage plebiscite is therefore the condition.” opinion. only way that, as Christians, we can Sadly Kevin Rudd is not the first or last The Coalition Government is promising secure both the future of marriage, and politician to have a go at Christians. to hold a plebiscite on the definition our freedoms to believe and practice In 2012, Malcolm Turnbull launched of marriage. But Labor is committed our faith.

In June 2014, we all watched We must in horror as terrorist group demand ISIL stormed into the ancient city of Mosul – known better more for to Christians as Nineveh – and forced the city’s the world’s Christian population out. poorest Of course, Christians are not the only people facing persecution by extremist groups like ISIL, but the and most horrors broadcast on the evening news drew attention to the plight vulnerable of persecuted people in a tragic and compelling way.

Image: Carillet stock-photo-52088280/Joel In 2014, more than 700 churches participated in Solidarity Sunday, an ACL initiative to pray and raise awareness about global persecution. And 20,000 ACL supporters signed a petition calling on then Prime Minister Tony Abbott to increase ’s humanitarian migrant intake and

2 3 How our schools became so unsafe Election campaigns are busy times. Lots of announcements are made. Some receive more attention than others. During the 2013 election campaign, Andrews Government in Victoria has the then Labor Education and Finance point blank refused to abide by the Ministers made a joint announcement recommendations of the Louden review promising $8 million of taxpayers’ money to prune "Safe Schools". to stop ‘homophobic bullying’ in schools. At this point, both major parties The then Education Minister Bill Shorten are in favour of "Safe Schools". introduced the now infamous, so- The Coalition have promised called “Safe Schools” program – and as not to renew funding for Opposition Leader, he is refusing to back the so-called "Safe Schools" away from it. programme while Bill “Safe Schools” has come under sustained Shorten's Labor have scrutiny from parents, the media, and committed to continue politicians for its dangerous queer gender funding it. And bullying ideology that teaches students and school words such as “bigot” teachers that you should not to refer to and “homophobe” “boys and girls”, while also promoting a are being employed view that gender is fluid. The program against anyone asking directs students to websites that give questions of the directions on how girls can bind their program. chests (a potentially lethal exercise) and Australian voters must how boys can tuck their genitals. be aware of the negative Despite a review, followed by a response implications of allowing this from the Education Minister, the program program to continue, and stand still contains material that teaches that up as a voice for values in the gender is a construct. Furthermore, the fight to remove “Safe Schools”.

is cold comfort to those who We are told that Percentage of Australia’s national income spent on have been made homeless foreign aid everything is being by ISIL. Sadly, the world’s done to expedite poorest have had an even more disappointing response the process, yet from Australia in recent years. this is cold comfort After initially committing to those who to reaching our Millennium Development Goal of have been made allocating 0.7% of Australia’s homeless ... gross national income to overseas direct aid by 2015, respond to the growing crisis. Having successive governments have ‘stopped the boats’, the government pushed the deadline to meet could now afford a generous and this goal further and further targeted humanitarian program. back by cutting aid. To his great credit, Mr Abbott allocated In fact, as of the most recent – displaced and persecuted around an additional 12,000 places for people budget announcement, Australia’s the world, Australia must stand up and displaced by the Middle East conflict. overseas-aid budget is now the lowest support those whose governments However, almost a year later, less than since 2004 and we have become one are unable or unwilling to help. The 30 of these 12,000 refugees have of the least generous nations in the current situation is not good enough arrived on our shores. developed world. and, as the federal election approaches, We are told that everything is being With so many people – including Christians must demand more from done to expedite the process, yet this hundreds of thousands of Christians both major political parties.

3 Anti-discrimination laws hinder free speech In September 2015, ACL was made aware that a complaint against Hobart’s Catholic Archbishop had been registered with the government. Julian Porteous was made the As ACL’s Lyle Shelton has said, We are calling for legislative changes subject of an official complaint to “misguided laws and legal processes to allow free and fair debate to be the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination are silencing the community. When the conducted during the lead-up to the Commission after he promoted law stops decent people from saying election and potential plebiscite on Catholic teaching on marriage to the reasonable things, it is defective.” changing the definition of marriage. parents who enrolled their children in ’s Catholic schools. Thankfully When the law the complaint was dropped in May 2016. However, the complainant, stops decent Greens’ transgender political candidate people from Martine Delany, has conceded nothing. It seems this is a tactical retreat. saying reasonable It is a travesty that Tasmania’s Anti- things, it is Discrimination Commissioner believed defective. the Archbishop had a case to answer, simply for distributing the marriage booklet “Don’t Mess with Marriage”. Wildly excessive anti-discrimination laws are hindering the ability of those who believe the definition of marriage should not be changed from standing up and expressing reasonable and Julian Porteous was made the respectful opinions. Some lay people subject of an official complaint who wish to share their views will feel to the Tasmanian Anti- Discrimination Commission silenced by fear of facing the same for distributing the Catholic Church marriage booklet retribution as Archbishop Porteous. Don’t Mess with Marriage. Volunteer for our biggest election campaign ever With so much at stake this election, we are mobilising more people and resources than ever before. Thousands of people just like you are fanning out across the country to campaign in key seats ahead of July 2. Already, hundreds of thousands of homes have been letterboxed and conversations started about issues like marriage, safe schools, religious freedom, and so much more. Will you stand up as a voice for values? Visit acl.org.au/volunteer and join the campaign today! 4

LABOR’S ! RAINBOW NATIONAL

PLATFORM  Ensure continuity of care is available after a baby is born;  Deliver special programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies, to reduce mortality rates and improve health; The Australian Labor Party’s 2015 National Support programs to increase the proportion of children born at a healthy birth weight; and  Promote immunisation and work with the primary care sector to develop local solutions in those areas and populations where vaccination remains low.

Conference made headlines overLesbian, the gay, party’s bisexual, transgender and intersex health

decision to force all of its MPs to support71. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people have specific health needs and fairness demands suitably targeted programs.

same-sex marriage from 2019. 72. Labor will:  Address the particular health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people, working in partnership with these communities and LGBTI health peak bodies; However, a series of little-known amendments to theContinue party’s to support LGBTI healthnational peak bodies including intersex-led organisations to provide support to intersex persons and their families and advocate on intersex issues; platform went unreported by the mainstream media. Provide trainingSadly for health Labor’s care workers about issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status;

capitulation to radical rainbow ideology is complete. Support programs to prevent suicide, and for improved mental health, for high risk groups, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Australians; Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong, Opposition  Provide better for the needs of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Australians, particularly in rural, regional and outer urban areas; Leader Bill Shorten and Deputy Leader Tanya  Continue to ensure that Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme implement anti- Plibersek at Labor's 2015 National Conference. discriminatory policies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Australians and AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy that same sex couples and their families are not discriminated against in their access to or adopted 26 July 2015 TAXPAYERuse of Medicare or the PBS;  Ensure the deferral of non-necessary medical intervention on infants and children with -FUNDEDintersex variations until such times as the person concerned can give informed consent; • Candidates for public office who act outside these guidelines will be liable to  sanctions by the relevant Labor Party Caucus or state Administrative Committee Prohibit modifications to sex characteristics undertaken for social rationales, without or other interested parties. ORCED SEX-CHANGEinformed consent; ALP F  Ensure that intersex persons’ right not to undergo sex assignment treatment is respected; National Conference decisions OPERATIONSand  Continue to recognise that gender diverse Australians face unique stigma and mental health 55 That decisions of National Conference are equallyVOTE binding on allFOR members of the Party harms through the gendering of government documents, workplaces and facilities such as GOVERNMENT- whether determined as platform or as a decision of Conference. However, decisions of public toilets. Labor is committed to breaking down barriers to social inclusion for Conference which relate to matters of policy lapse if they are not reaffirmed by the SAME-SEX Australiatransgender Post Australians. subsequent Conference. Decisions of Conference which relate to organisational, FUNDED RAINBOW administrative or rules matters continue in force until a subsequent Conference 73. 94.Labor Australia acknowledges Post is the a critical right of part all ofAustralians, Australian including Infrastructure, transgender delivering and letters,gender parcelsdiverse andpeople, services otherwise determines. MARRIAGE to livethat their are gender critical identity. to Australian For many, Communities this includes and accessingBusinesses; specialist health services and for COP TO ENFORCE some people can involve gender affirmation surgery. Cost should not be a barrier to accessing Same sex marriage 95.these Labor services will and/or maintain surgery, Australia and Post Labor in commitsfull public to ownership. removing, wherever possible, out-of-pocket health expenses for transgender people incurred in relation to their gender identity. RAINBOW IDEOLOGY 56 Conference resolves that the matter of same sex marriage can be freely debated at any 96. Labor will maintain Australia Post as the sole carrier of the standard-size, letter service and the sole state or federal forum of the Australian Labor Party, but any decision reached is not Men’s healthissuer of postage stamps. Flat-rate postal charging arrangements will be protected to ensure FROM PRE-SCHOOL binding on any member of the Party. This resolution is rescinded upon the universal, equitable to all Australians, metropolitan and regional. commencement of the 46th parliament. 97. Labor will encourage the growth of Australia Post’s services and ensure that Australia Post’s TO BOARD ROOM community serviceALP obligations policy provide states equitable accessthat to “cost a full range should of postal ser vicesnot for all AUTHORISED BY GEORGE WRIGHT, 5/9 SYDNEY AVENUE, BARTON ACT 2600 CHAPTER 8: A HEALTH SYSTEM FOR ALL 109 PART F – NATIONAL CONFERENCE STANDING ORDERS Australians. be a barrier to accessing” sex-change Chair of Conference 98. Labor !commits tooperations, ensuring community meaningservice obligations youmeet the and needs ofI themay Australian people, Forcing every Labor member and especially the standard of service on delivery of mail, and commits to have ACCC price over-sight on 57 The National President shall preside over Conference. In the President’s absence the all letter delivery.have Australia to Post foot should maintainthe bill. appropriate coverage of post office and post box senior officer present shallsenator preside. If no(under officers are threat present, a delegateof expulsion) shall be to outlets throughout Australia. Labor will ensure that the ownership mix between appointed by Conference! to preside. corporate retail outlets, franchisees and licensed post office’s is maintained. vote for same-sex marriage by 2019. (Source: ALP National Platform page 109, paragraph 73) Credentials 99. Labor understands that Postal Services are the lifeblood of rural and regional communities. Labor will work to maintain and strengthen the service offering of Australia Post in rural and regional 58 (a) Each body represented at National Conference or National Executive shall lodge Australia through Post Offices and continually improving delivery services. with the National Secretary the names and addresses of its delegates as early as practicable before the meeting. These names and addresses shall be sent by the 100. Australia Post employs thousands of Australians. Labor will work to protect the jobs (Source: ALP NationalNational Secretary Constitution, to all members page of 32 the paragraphNational Executive 56) and other bodies of these workers, encourage Australia Post towards direct full time employment rather represented at the National Conference as soon as possible. than contract work, and endeavour to ensure that contractors will not be used to undermine the current entitlements of direct employees. (b) Any body or delegate may challenge the credentials of any delegate by lodging 41. All students benefit from completing Year 12, and Labor will work to continue improving Year 12 ANTI- with the National Secretary the grounds of objection in writing within 14 days of Labor will establish a taxpayer- retention rates. To achieve this, Labor will help schools to offer programs to meet the aspirations being notified of the nomination of that delegate. Free speech and interests of all students, including Vocational Education programs. There should also be funded LGBTI Anti-Discrimination  Supporting diversity in corporate Australia, including in appointments to boards and at the alternative pathways to complete Year 12, because all young Australians – including those not in DISCRIMINATION (c) The grounds of the objection shall be conveyed to the delegate challenged and to 101. All Australians have the right to exercise their freedom of speech in a manner that respects the executive level; ! Commissioner within the Human the schoolthe body system nominating – deserve the the delegate opportunity by the to completequickest possibleschool education means. orThe its National equivalent individual and collective rights enjoyed by other Australians and allows others to live free from Rights Commission. Because there regardlessExecutive of their shall circumstances. hear and determine the challenge. An appeal shall lie to the LAWviolen REVIEWce, the fear of violence or the threat of violence.  Adopting a target for government boards so least 40 per cent of members should be women LABORNational Conference. CONTINUES Pending the outcome of any TO such appeal, the decision of the as an immediate priority; and is no discrimination in Australian 42. The work of principals, teachers, and support staff in educating the next generation of Australians is National Executive shall stand. 102. Australia’s anti-vilification laws strike an appropriate balance between the right to free speech andRecognising the particular issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, invaluable. Labor will work to lift the status of the teaching profession, and support improved law against same-sex attracted protection from the harm of hate speech. Labor stands with the community to oppose any attackwomen of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women with disability, rural SUPPORTpractice and continued THE professional SO-CALLEDdevelopment for all educators. people and couples, this powerful on the Racial Discrimination Act. women, young women, lesbians, bisexual women and women of transgender or intersex background, and ensures government policiesgovernment and programs are commissioner funded, accessible and will 43. Maintaining“SAFE the highest standardsSCHOOLS” in initial and continuing teacher education is urgent and 103. Homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and intersexphobic harassment by the written or spoken wordappropriate to their needs. have nothing to do except pursue important. Universities have a responsibility to ensure prospective teachers are of high academic causes actual harm, not simple mere offence, to people who have suffered discrimination and ability, receive a quality education, and are properly supported throughout their studies. This PROGRAM THAT prejudice, and causes particular harm to young same-sex attracted, or gender-ques62.tioning Laborand will require as a condition of all federal courtgrants and othercases financial against support to organisations Australians includes ensuring all students have access to substantial and meaningful practical classroom intersex people, and considers such harmful harassment is an unacceptable abuse of the experience. that they perform their contracts in accordancewho with state, disagree territory and national with anti same-sex- 32 responsibilities that come with freedom of speech and must be subject to effective sanctions.discrimination Labor laws. TEACHES CHILDREN will consider whether current anti-discrimination law provides such effective sanctions. marriage and “Safe Schools”. 44. Education support workers and non-teaching support staff do important work contributing to schools. These workers should be directly employed by the states and territories to ensure a Uniform national defamation laws should provide a proper balance between freedomLGBTI of place in a stronger democracy 104. THEIRcohesive and integrated GENDER education community IS. FLUID expression, public debate and the protection of the reputation of others. Whistle-blower (Source: http://www.100positivepolicies.org.au/lgbti_  Ensure continuity of care is availableprotection after laws a baby, national is born; shield laws to protect journalists, and harmonisation of shield63. lawsAustralia should be a society that embraces diversity. Labor will support lesbian, gay, bisexual, 45. Labor supports a mandatory Indigenous Studies component as part of all teachers’ pre-service Political correctness to discrimination_commissioner_fact_sheet)  Deliver special programs for Aboriginalnationally ,and are Torresimportant Strait protections Islander mothers for free andspeech. babies, to transgender and intersex Australians and ensure they are safe, valued and respected. training. Labor will work with teacher educators and the teaching profession to ensure all teachers reduce mortality rates and improve health; be further entrenched. have a good understanding of Indigenous education issues and the knowledge to work effectively 64. The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to with Indigenous communities and families.  Support programs to increase the proportion of children born at a healthy! birth weight; and AUTHORISED BY GEORGE WRIGHT, 5/9 SYDNEY AVENUE, BARTON ACT 2600 CHAPTER 10: STRONG DEMOCRACY AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT Sexual Orientation165 and Gender Identity provide a substantial guide to understanding Australia’s  Promote immunisation and work with the primary care sector to develop local solutions in human rights obligations in relation to LGBTI Australians and their families. 46. Labor believes our schools must be safe environments that enable all students to learn – includingthose areas and populations where vaccination remains low. same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students. Labor will continue working with 65. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians and their communities contribute teachers, students and schools to tackle bullying and discrimination, and ensure our schools are (Source: ALP National Platform page 165, paragraph 103) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex health much to Australian society. safe and welcoming places for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students. Labor will RAINBOW LOBBY continue to support national programs to address homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and intersexphobia in schools. This includes ensuring gender diverse students are71. able toL esbiexpressan, gay, the bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people have specific health needs and 66. Labor will work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians and representative gender they identify with, including through preferred name and dress. fairness demands suitably targeted programs. groups to: PRIVILEGED IN GOVERNMENT

47. Every Australian in every community should have access to high-quality, free,72. secular Labor government will:  Expand integrated advice and support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and POLICY MAKING schooling. Our public schools are among our nation’s most important institutions, and it is Addressa the particular health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex intersex Australians, and ensure their engagement in the policy development of government; fundamental responsibility of governmentsALP policy to ensure theyfor are gender-focused adequately resourced to deliverpeople, an working in partnership with these communities and LGBTI health peak bodies;  Support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians with particular needs, excellent quality education. Labor is fully committed to excellent, universal public education, based anti-bullying programs will ensureContinue to support LGBTI health peak bodies including intersex-led organisations to provide such as those who are young, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from culturally on the principles of cooperation, and will not pursue the privatisation of any aspect of public and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those living in rural, regional and remote Australia; schooling. ! students are able to wear thesupport uniform to intersex persons and their families and advocate on intersex issues;  Provide training for health care workers about issuesMAKE of sexual orientation, PUBLIC gender identity  Strengthen laws and expand programs against discrimination and harassment on the basis of • 48. ParentsForcing have a right everyto choose Labor nonof-government their member schoolingpreferred and. Non -government sex andschools shouldbeand referredbe intersex status ; sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status; and supported by public funding that reflects need, and is consistent with the creation of a diverse and senator (under threat of expulsion) to vote for  Support programs to prevent suicide, and for improved mental health, for high risk groups,  Support and engage with communities and stakeholders to provide input into government inclusive society. to using their preferred name. TOILETS UNSAFE same-sex marriage by 2019 including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Australians; decision-making.  Provide better for the needs of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Students with Disability FOR WOMEN Labor will strengthen support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians by Australians, particularly in rural, regional and outer urban areas; 67. (Source: ALP National Platform page 90, paragraph 46) integrating advice and support services and ensuring they are engaged in the policy development 49. All children should have the skills and opportunities to participate in society. Children and Continuestudents to ensure that Medicare and the PharmaceuticalAND Benefits GIRLS?Scheme implement anti- of government. with disability should have access to the same education opportunities as all Australian childrendiscriminatory policies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Australians and and students. that same sex couples and their families are not discriminated against in their access to or 68. Labor condemns sexual violence, or any derogatory behaviour and harassment towards all people. use of Medicare or the PBS; Labor recognises the harm such actions cause and will pursue policies to prevent discrimination.  Ensure the deferral of non-necessary medical intervention on infants and children with intersex variations until such times as the person concerned can give informed consent; 69. Labor will:

AUTHORISED BY GEORGE WRIGHT, 5/9 SYDNEY AVENUE, BARTON ACT 2600 CHAPTER 7: A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS Prohibit modifications to sex characteristics undertaken for social rationales, without 90  Coordinate and promote policy development and implementation, with adequate funding, to informed consent;  Strengthen partnerships between the federal government and LGBTI community groups in ensurethe government delivery of support services services advance for these LGBTI policy Australians aspirations and intheir practice; families;  Ensure that intersex persons’ right not to undergo sex assignment treatment is respected; and  Investigate establishing a National Gender Centre for support and advocacy for transgender AUTHORISED BY GEORGE WRIGHT,and 5/9intersex SYDNEY AVENUE, Australians, BARTON ACT which 2600 couldCHAPTER have 10: STRONG an education DEMOCRACY andAND EFFECTI trainingVE GOVERNMENT role to promote  Continue to recognise that gender diverse Australians face unique stigma and mental health 161 awareness about transgender and intersex issues to the wider public; harms through the gendering of government documents, workplaces and facilities such as public toilets. Labor is committed to breaking down barriers to social inclusion for  Support national intersex-led organisations to provide supportA seat to intersex at persons the and table their for the transgender Australians. families, and advocate on intersex issues; LGBTI lobby. (Source:  Review documentation requirements, including passports and birth certificates, as they 73. Labor acknowledges the right of all Australians, including transgender and gender diverse people, affect transgender and intersex people, to facilitate! their equal enjoyment of human rights ALP National to live their gender identity. For many, this includes accessing specialist health services and for without discrimination and to promote identification options beyond binary male / female; Platform page some people can involve gender affirmation surgery. Cost should not be a barrier to accessing these services and/or surgery, and Labor commits to removing, wherever possible, out-of-pocket  Ensure proportionality in the use of sex and gender markers on official documents so that 109, paragraph health expenses for transgender peopleALP incurred policy in relation will to their reprint gender identity. documents any presence of such markers fulfils a genuine and proportionate need; and 72) Men’s health with new prefixes to remove or  Ensure that all people with intersex variations are able to exercise autonomy regarding (Source: ALPsex/gender National markers, Platform and obtain page identification 161, options162 paragraph that match their 67, sex 69) characteristics ! change gender markers and/or gender identities, as preferred. or increase ‘identification options’. 70. Labor will build upon previous legal achievements to implement equality in practice, so every area AUTHORISED BY GEORGE WRIGHT, 5/9 SYDNEY AVENUE, BARTON ACT 2600 CHAPTER 8: A HEALTH SYSTEM FOR ALL 109 of policy is inclusive of the needs and interests of all Australians-including lesbians and gay men, 5 and bisexual, transgender and intersex people-without discrimination.

71. Labor will:

 Ensure the impact on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people is considered in developing bills or regulations;  Ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians enjoy equality before the law, and have access to every state institution without discrimination; and  Investigate amending the Australian Human Rights Commission Act to establish a Commissioner for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status issues, with equivalent powers, responsibilities and funding to Commissioners within the Australian Human Rights Commission. Australian media

72. The media, particularly broadcasting, are experiencing major change, driven by digitisation, convergence of technology and the globalisation of broadcasting, communications and information technologies.

73. Labor will ensure Australia has the regulatory processes and industry structures to support a strong, healthy, responsible and independent media operating in the public interest.

74. Labor supports the National Classification Code to classify content against the standards of morality, decency and propriety accepted by reasonable adults, without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.

75. Labor will pursue policies to ensure Australians have a diverse range of information and opinion in Australia’s media. Labor is committed to appropriate Australian content quotas in the broadcasting sector. Labor will ensure television and radio advertising are properly regulated and reflect community standards.

AUTHORISED BY GEORGE WRIGHT, 5/9 SYDNEY AVENUE, BARTON ACT 2600 CHAPTER 10: STRONG DEMOCRACY AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT 162 From Lyle to you

Dear Friend of ACL, It’s more important than ever that we raise a strong and loud voice for values this election. ACL never tells people who to vote for. But we always seek to inform people on where the parties stand on key issues. This election newsletter provides policy information on a range of issues. In particular it advises where the parties stand on marriage and “Safe Schools”. More than any other election issues, these two will radically re-shape Australia, starting with re-shaping our children’s understanding of sex and gender. With so much at stake including the future of marriage, religious freedom, and justice for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, we cannot afford to take a backward step. I cannot tell you just how thankful I am to the thousands of ACL supporters like you who have already joined the fight and are working as campaign volunteers Lyle Shelton, Managing Director right across our nation. It’s so inspiring to see such courage and hard work as together we work to defend our freedoms and speak out for the good of our nation. You and I know that this is just the rehearsal. If the Coalition is elected, the next I cannot tell big challenge will be the campaign to preserve marriage through the promised you just how plebiscite after the election. thankful I am to Your support now will help us secure a people’s vote on marriage, and ensure we are well placed to enter that campaign with our best foot forward. the thousands of So thank you for your continued support. And please be praying for our nation ACL supporters and our political leaders throughout this important campaign! like you who God bless, have already joined the fight.

Lyle Shelton Managing Director

ELECTION UPDATES Keep up to date at acl.org.au for our election coverage! And while you’re there, please complete the online policy questionnaire.

ACL National Office

Senate Changes Phone (02) 6259 0431 Changes have been made to Senate Eternity House voting rules. 4 Campion Street Deakin ACT 2600 Many Christians use their Senate vote to vote for Christian and family values Email [email protected] Inside parties. acl.org.au >> To make sure your vote counts this election, go to www.aec.gov.au for more information. Authorised by Lyle Shelton, Eternity House, 4 Campion Street, Deakin ACT 2600 6