Christian group steps up election fight
A conservative Christian lobby group has made good on a threat to campaign against Queensland MPs who voted in favour of the state’s civil partnerships legislation.
A series of flyers have been distributed in the Ashgrove electorate of Labor’s Kate Jones by the Australia Family Association (AFA), which claim she supports, “radical law that violate kids’ rights”.
Jones is currently battling Opposition Leader Campbell Newman for the seat. Newman needs to win Ashgrove in order to take the reins as premier in the event of a Liberal National Party (LNP) victory at the March 24 poll.
Brisbane PFLAG spokeswoman Shelley Argent said that Jones is to be congratulated on her stance for equality, not condemned by the AFA.
“The AFA and the LNP, if elected, will take Queensland back to the Joh [Bjelke-Petersen] era, with the promise of acts of deliberate discrimination against a minority,” Argent said.
“The AFA, who produced this flyer, state ‘we didn’t vote for this’ meaning improved rights for same-sex couples. But in fact we did when we voted for Kate Jones. Kate is intelligent and young with young ideas and doesn’t feel threatened by legislating for equality for all Queenslanders.
“I think the question should be asked of this flyer, why would the AFA exploit this small child and put her face to such a nasty, underhanded campaign?
The LNP have denied any involvement in the distribution of the flyer.
Tasmania, Victoria, ACT and NSW already have civil partnerships or relationship registers, while most Australian states have legislated for same-sex couples to have parental recognition. Some Australian states allow adoption.
“In fact Queensland is always playing catch up, never breaking new ground,” Argent said.
“Same-sex couples show great commitment when they make the decision to have children. Their babies are never accidental and most certainly not seen as possessions, but treasures that most parents apply a huge amount of love and energy to provide with the best life possible.”
Hmmm. I have to kids and they have two mums and two dads. This argument by the Australia Family Association seems to lack a little research.
This hate material is the stuff of Hitler Youth.
I’m not sure who’s worse? The AFA, or the equally conservative agenda of “Gay Inc.”, and its partnership with the Establishment?
This is utterly disgusting. AMA should be ashamed. Bunch of hypocrites with their judgmental attitudes. Go back to the cave that you skulked out of.
What is wrong with u sick uneducated wierdos… I have a gay son that I wouldnt change for the world that would make a fantastic parent.. unlike half the so called normal people.
What about all the single parents where one “decides” the other parent has no place in their lives & uses those children as a weapon whilst poisoning them in the eyes of the kids? The Family Court is riddled with examples. How many LGTBI parents have to go for Abortions because of an accidental pregnancy? The AFA are government sponsored terrorists who are as outdated as their Hypocritical, Mysoginistic views. (As Big Brother would say) “It’s time to Goooo … Austdalian Family Association!
All the heterosexual single parents out there raise your hand! Is the AFA going to target you too???
Just because a child has gay parents, doesn’t mean they don’t have a Mum and a Dad. AFA, bunch of idiots!
well, to be perfectly frank, this is disgusting…
I am going to write to AMA and thank them for letting me know – I was undecided about who to vote for. Now it will definitely be Kate Jones. Epic advertising fail AMA.
I agree with Wayne D. This is not just awful and hurtful to the gay community. It is also an attack on single parents and on the HUGE number of parents out there who, through no fault of their own, are unable to have children by natural biological means. I would joke that this means the AFA wants to ban such programs as IVF, except that I suspect it does. I love all that Australia has to offer and I want to be proud of my country, but it’s seeing rot like this that makes me ashamed to be Australian. Disgraceful.
This is also demeaning to all the single parents out there raising children on their own. But typical lowlife tactics of the christian right. Equality hopefully will win in the end.
The AFA is producing hate-filled polluting mail campaigns that VIOLATE the rights of our trees living a healthy life… Trees deserve better!
WHY WON’T ANYONE THINK OF THE TREES?!
Absolutely disgraceful behaviour. The AFA needs to be reported to ADMA for violation of a child’s privacy.