Family First A “Christian” Party Like CDP?
Family First is not a Christian Party like the CDP, but a party of people of all backgrounds linked by our commitment to family values. Obviously those who are members of Family First are Christian, but we acknowledge the support of people of many faiths and races that also appreciate Family Values.
Some people believe we are a party like the CDP that boasts of being the “only Christian Party” They are not the first to suggest this and others including Antony Green (ABC pollster) and Barry O’Farrell have argued that Family First should become the alternative Christian party for the expressed reason of once and for all getting rid of the Rev Fred Nile party and Fred himself.
The argument is simple. Family First is an acceptable alternative to the extremist positions on race and other issues of Rev Fred Nile and the CDP.
Family First’s Gordon Moyes is the best known sitting Legislative Councillor up for re-election. His profile should ensure he gets re-elected. This means Family First will have a continuing presence in the Legislative Council for the next eight years whether Moyes or someone else.
Family First will have a sitting member in four years time to promote an additional member. Fred Nile then will be up against an established Party and in his 80’s will not be an attractive candidate. Any one other than Fred will have the disadvantage of being unknown. CDP without a Parliamentarian will collapse for good.
What will ensure this is if Family First is seen as the alternative Christian Party. This will split the Christian vote which is only marginal now, and any votes taken from CDP will announce its demise either now or the next election.
I warned CDP about this in 2008. If Family First is seen as the alternative Christian Party, I am confident of success into the future. However I have not wanted to be known as the person who killed off the CDP and Rev Fred Nile, and Family First has never presented itself as the alternative Christian Party.
The Federal Government has just announced a Multicultural Ministry and a strong program to combat inclusion of other races and faiths into our society. We agree with that completely. We do not want to encourage red-necks and racists who want a return to the White Australian policy.
That is the way the tide is running and we are in the forefront of it.
Family First is not a Christian Party like the CDP that presents itself as being a fundamentalist fringe Christian group that does not have the support of any mainstream Christian denomination.
We are Christian humanitarians, encouraging the benefits of all family values regardless of their background, culture, race or religion. We do not regard Church membership as the reason for our existence. We believe in the practise of true Christian principles towards people in society whether they are believers of not, and in the Biblical commandment to love our neighbour, the stranger, the poor and dispossessed, the alien and anyone who suffers injustice.
That is why we vigorously oppose racism and all denials of human rights. That is why we support the Muslim right to religious dress, the choice of religious schools, and the building of houses of prayer. That is why we support the oppressed Falun Gong and reject the selling of human body organs. We support other groups facing injustice such as the Vietnamese and Pacific Islanders and argue for humane conditions in processing asylum seekers which is quite legal in Australia.
As evidence of this, just look at the amazing group of people who support Family First in the recent election.