Tony Abbott has doused expectations of any change; or a conscience vote, on same-sex unions in the next Parliament. ''It will ultimately be a matter for the post-election party room if it comes up, but I am strongly opposed to any change and I imagine that a strong majority in the Coalition party room will remain opposed to any change,” Mr Abbott said (SMH 4/5/13).

Killer drug

The abortion drug RU486 could be available soon for as little as $12 after the federal government's advisory body recommended that it be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. If so, women would pay $36.10 for each of the two pills, while those with concessions would pay only $5.90 per pill. Currently, the drugs cost between $250 and $350, while surgical abortion generally costs up to $500 (TheVine.com.au 26/4/13).

Prescribed death

RU486 destroys the developing fetus in the womb by depriving baby of nourishment.  Another drug (Misoprostol) is then given to help expel the dead baby.  This process may be extremely painful and lead to heavy blood loss and infection.  Some women, including at least one Australian, have died of septicaemia as a result.  An SA study of 7,000 abortionsfound a significantly higher percentage of complications after RU486 abortions compared with surgical abortions (FAVA 26/4/13) The federal government should not subsidise the drug.

Hero Hobart

Melbourne GP Dr Mark Hobart could face discipline, even the loss of his right to practise medicine, because he refused to refer a mother for abortion at 19 weeks after being told the reason – the couple said they wanted a boy instead of a girl! (front-page news in the Herald Sun)

Freedom denied

That’s why we are working to change Section 8of Victoria’s Abortion Law.  It is a blatant denial of freedom of conscience.  It says doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion must refer women seeking one (for any reason up to 24 weeks) to another doctor who does not have a conscientious objection. There’s still time to complete an open letter to the Premier. Contact us if you want to help.

At odds with Australians

Gambling odds will be banned from live sports broadcasts under changes proposed by Australia’s free-to-air television networks. They may change their own code of practice to limit the promotion of gambling during live sports broadcasts (The Australian 22/4/13) Opposition leader Tony Abbott has supported the move, saying he will ban live betting if networks don’t act (H/Sun 5/5/13 p3).

Victorian women seeking late-term abortions are being turnedaway from hospitals because doctors are refusing to perform the procedure unless the foetus has a genetic abnormality. Women's rights campaigners say access to late-stage terminations has never been more restricted. Marie Stopes International's Croydon clinic; where anaesthetist James Latham Peters infected 55 women with hepatitis C, and the only facility in Australia performing terminations post 24 weeks for ''psychosocial'' reasons, stopped offering the procedure more than a year ago (TheAge.com.au 24/3/13).

Premier defends marriage

New Victorian Premier Dennis Napthine has courageously told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell that he does not support gay marriage. His stand comes amidst media reports of polls showing growing support for same-sex marriage in the US and Australia. “Last year, the Commonwealth Parliament considered legislation related to marriage for same-sex couples. (It) voted to retain the current laws with respect to marriage,” he said (TheStandard 28/3/13).

Royal commission started

Australia’s royal commission into child sex abuse began this week in Melbourne. The Federal Government is anticipating many thousands will come forward with stories of their own child sex abuse and has set up a free nationwide telephone service for victims to seek legal advice (Herald Sun 3/4/13 p4) 1800 737 732

More drugs stopped

A major international crime syndicate has been smashed, with police seizing drugs valued at $28 million and arresting 27 people. Victorian and Federal Police netted 42kg of ice and property, cash and goods valued at $38 million (Herald Sun 23/3/13 p15).

Media changes dumped

The federal government has dumped its controversial media reform bills after it failed to get the backing of enough cross bench MPs to save them. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy stood by his promise last week to shelve the legislation if he could not get backing (News Limited 21/3/13). Many feared that the bills were aimed at government control of the media.

Julia Gillard and new Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus have dumped Nicola Roxon’s consolidation of federal anti-discrimination reforms, outraging many Labor MPs and further destabilising the Prime Minister's leadership (The Australian 20/3). This is a victory for the defence of religious freedom.

(continued) However, Mr Dreyfus has implemented a dangerous back-up plan by introducing the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013 to add discrimination attributes of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex as “protected grounds.” The bill is now with a committee taking submissions until 26/4. Passing such a bill would further cement same-sex rights and could be used as a lever to destabilise marriage laws.

Homosexual agenda breaks out again

Another same-sex marriage bill is being debated in federal parliament, introduced by (Vic) Greens MP Adam Bandt. The bill has been in parliament since June last year, but has now been given further debate time. This is the third same-sex bill to be debated in federal parliament. Two have previously been defeated. Please pray for Tony Abbott and the coalition who form the primary road block to same-sex marriage.

Tasmania’s Labor Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne plans to decriminalise abortion there. A proposed law modelled on Victoria’s would allow medical practitioners to perform an abortion up to 24-weeks' gestation. After 24 weeks, a woman would be required to get two doctors’ permission. Some Tasmanian women have been travelling to Victoria to have their babies killed (The Examiner 7/3/13).

Tasmania’s proposed abortion bill would legalise abortion till birth, outlaw all pro-life counsellors, paid or voluntary (priests, pastors and ministers included) and ban peaceful protest within 150m of an abortion clinic, with fines of up to $65,000 and one year in jail.

A Federal Court ruling by Justice Jayne Jagot says banning same-sex marriage is not discriminatory. She said in all cases the treatment of the person of the opposite sex is the same. (Any male, regardless of sexual preference, if free to marry a female). The ruling effectively acknowledges that the gay activist slogan Marriage Equality is false and misleading (FAVA 25/2/13).

A six-month investigation by Federal Police has seen a record 585kg of ice being seized in Sydney, with a street value of $438 million. The amphetamines would have been sold in major Australian cities. Three men have faced court (H/Sun 1/3 p11).

More babies are now born to over-35s than under-25s. The proportion of older mums has doubled in two decades. Only one third of women on paid government maternity leave are in their teens or 20s (Herald Sun 12/2/13 p15).

Still a vast tragedy

Fewer girls are being subjected to genital mutilation around the world. In the 29 countries still practising female circumcision in Africa and the Middle East, the UN said an average of 36% of girls 15-19 had been cut, compared with 53% of women aged 45-49 (Herald Sun 8/2/13 p34).

Slow back-down

Nicola Roxon (until recently federal Attorney-general) has agreed to delete the words offend, insult and intimidate from parts of her draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill. However, many harmful sections remain, including the reversal of the onus of proof and the continued use of the terms offend and insult in the racial discrimination provisions. The bill undermines basic human rights such as freedom of speech and association. It should be withdrawn (FAVA 31/1)

We wish all our affiliates and friends a safe and joyful Christmas. We look forward to working with you all again in 2013 to help all Australians live healthier, happier and more satisfying lives.

Since ATMs were banned in Victoria’s pokies venues on July 1, the amount spent on poker machines has dropped 6.7%, saving gamblers more than $62m. The trend could cost the government $200m over the next four years in tax revenue, but gaming minister Michael O’Brien said it was better morally and has long-term economic benefits (Herald Sun 2/12/12 p1).

School text beggars belief

A review has been ordered into VCE students’ 2013 reading list. A VCAA approved book, Love in the Time of Cholera is about a 78-year-old man having an incestuous sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl who commits suicide. School teacher Christopher Bantick said “It beggars belief that someone thinks that this is an appropriate text.” (Herald Sun 7/12/12 p24). The book contains frequent sex scenes and approves adult-child sex.

Spotlight quilt anger

Angry shoppers are boycotting craftware chain Spotlight for “promoting pornography” by advertising a line of Playboy-branded quilt sets in its latest catalogue. The retailer’s Facebook page has been flooded with irate comments. Spotlight has promised an “internal review” (Herald Sun 30/11/12 p12).

The majority of single parents  will be moved to Newstart under new federal laws when their youngest child turns eight. Some families may be $140 a week worse off and homelessness may increase (Herald Sun 16/11/12). The federal government’s program to get mums into work ignores children’s need for a mother at home and discredits the vital female role of home-maker. Support for stay-at-home mums should be a priority.

Smart program to cut bullying

The eSmart program has granted 13 schools certification showing they can effectively manage cyber bullying, with 40 more schools to pass within months.  More than 1400 schools are involved. Bullying is reduced, parents are informed, reporting is increased, and a ‘buddy system’ established (Herald Sun 15/11/12 p17). The state government should stop funding the ‘Safe’ Schools Coalition Victoria, which singles out homophobia and promotes sexuality to vulnerable children.

People trafficking driver

The federal government will spend $50 millionto reduce trafficking of people in Asia. However governments are not doing enough in Australia, which is an identified destination for sex trafficking, especially of young girls from Southeast Asia. As long as we allow legalised prostitution, we will never stop trafficking. State Governments should consider the Nordic approach to prostitution, which criminalises the purchase of sex (ACL 21/11).

Under cover agenda?

New proposed federal government laws to simplify anti-discrimination could be just another way to push same-sex agenda. Under new laws proposed by Nicola Roxon a new protected area will be sexual orientation and gender identity, and it will be illegal for religious bodies providing aged care to refuse same-sex couples. The burden of proof will be on the respondent to justify the conduct, not the complainant.

Porn-fueled despair

PM Julia Gillard has announced of a Royal Commission on child sexual abuse in institutions. But the reality is that child sex abuse is increasing – and often perpetrated by children on other children.  A federal government report showsthat older brothers are up to five times more likely to sexually abuse young children than fathers or uncles. One of the factors in this child-on-child sex abuse is the growing influence of pornography (FAVA 14/11).

Foolish back-down

Federal Labor Communications Minister Senator Conroy has reneged on his election promise of a mandated ISP 'clean feed' service to filter pornography.  His weak compromise is a black list to block only the “worst of the worst” sites. The number of children sexually abusing other children is rising – a consequence of our increasingly sexualised society, fostered by internet porn (Ros Phillips, FAVA 9/11/12).