2007

At Brisbane, and within Clayfield College, Brisbane, at 7.30 pm on the 27 June 2007 on which the General Assembly being duly constituted.

INTER ALIA:

MINUTE 99

The deliverance as a whole was approved as follows:
That the Assembly:
1. Commend Membership of the Public Questions and Communications Committee to Assembly Commissioners in nominating Members to Assembly Committees.
2. (a) Encourage Sessions to appoint a Community Interest Contact Person, (with e-mail access), within the Congregation to be a link with the Public Questions and Communications Committee and to promote activity within the Community.
 (b) Commend the Community Interest Web Page within the Presbyterian Church of Queensland to the Church.
3  (a)(i)(I)  Note: that on Friday 22nd June 2007, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal issued as a media release a joint statement of the Islamic Council of Victoria Inc., Catch the Fires Ministries Inc., Daniel Nalliah and Daniel Scot.  The statement gives details of the agreement that the Islamic Council of Victoria (the ICV) has reached with Catch the Fires Ministries, Pastor Daniel Scot and Pastor Daniel Nalliah about the complaint that the ICV brought to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) concerning what it alleges were acts of religious vilification in contravention of s8 of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic)
(II)  Note Assembly Paper 16, the VCAT Media Release.
(ii) Forward a letter of encouragement with a donation of $100.00 from the budget of the Public Questions and Communications Committee, to Pastors Daniel Scot of Ibrahim Ministries International and Daniel Nalliah of Catch the Fires Ministries, following the agreement that the Islamic Council of Victoria (the ICV) has reached with Catch the Fires Ministries, Pastor Daniel Scot and Pastor Daniel Nalliah about the complaint that the ICV brought to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) concerning what it alleges were acts of religious vilification in contravention of s8 of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic).
(b) Note that the Board of Finance has not as yet obtained legal opinion as to the implications of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 on the Church and its Office bearers.
4. Commend the Church and Nation Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia for the material produced for the time of Prayer and Fasting leading up to Reformation Sunday, and endorse its decision to request the General Assembly to make this an annual activity in the life of the Church, with the co-operation of State Assemblies.
5. (a) Commend DrugArm to the prayerful support of the Church.
 (b) Appoint Rev Rudi Schwartz, Mr. N. Taylor and Mr D. Lewis to represent the Presbyterian Church of Queensland at the Annual General Meeting of DrugArm.
 (c) Note that representatives of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland were unable to attend the 2006 Annual General Meeting of Drug Arm.
 (d) Request the representatives of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, as an ordinary Member of the Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation (Australia), (Drug Arm), to take all appropriate action to change the policy of Drug Arm in relation to accepting support from funds generated by gambling, and to bring a report to the 2008 Assembly.
6. Request the Lord Mayor to withdraw the publication Islam in Brisbane from circulation as it contains inaccurate information relating to the relationship of Christianity and Islam, including the statement; ‘Muslims, Christians and Jews share a common heritage … and worship the same God’.
7. Request the Public Questions and Communication Committee, Presbyteries, Sessions and Communicants to make submissions if the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice is reviewed in the latter part of 2007.
8. (a) Commend Christian Television Australia (CTA) to the prayerful support of the Church.
 (b) Continue to support CTA financially, directly, even if the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia does not fund CTA through a national levy.
 (c) Request the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia to resolve the matter of outstanding subscriptions to Christian Television Australia (CTA).
9. Request Parents and other interested persons, who are concerned about matters of education in State Schools, to both pray that our children will be guarded and protected in the Education System; but to be aware that there are also practical things which can be carried out, as follows;
 Teachers and Principals are responsive to visits and input from parents who have a concern about their child’s education. So there is a need to be aware of the school environment and to take up matters with Teachers and the Principal.
 In a similar vein active membership of the Parents and Friends Association at the School is a direct pipeline to the Principal and to the Department of Education.
 Local politicians are most interested in what you think – and how you will vote at the next election in which they will be standing. So a visit to them to raise an issue can be very effective.
 There is even the pathway of joining a political party and becoming active in policy development and perhaps standing for office or election.
 Letters to the Editor and comments on talk back radio can raise an issue to public prominence and bring about positive change.
10. (a) Note that the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener of the Public Questions Committee, issued a statement in the name of the Church, expressing opposition to Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell research and requested increased research into Adult Stem Cell research. (COA 15 November 2006, Minute 06/212).
 (b) Request the Clerk to forward a copy of the Statement on Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell Research, to the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and to the Media, with the request that they vote against Queensland Legislation which would complement Federal Legislation on Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell research.
 (c) Request Presbyteries, Sessions and Communicants to approach their local Member of the Legislative Assembly with the request that they vote against Queensland Legislation which would complement Federal Legislation on Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell research
11. Note that the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener of the Public Questions Committee, issued a statement in the name of the Church, endorsing the stand of the Government introducing the amendment strengthening the Marriage Act 1961 to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life; and to confirm that unions solemnised overseas between same sex couples will not be recognised as marriages in Australia; and amendment of the Family Law Act 1975 to prevent inter-country adoptions by same sex couples under multilateral or bilateral agreements or arrangements.  Also expressing concern that the payment of the “Baby Bonus” in a lump sum may not be in the best interests of all families, and that there may be a possible greater benefit if it is paid in instalments. (COA 19 April 2007, Minute 06/398).
12. Note that the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener of the Public Questions Committee, issued a statement in the name of the Church, expressing concern as to the state of affairs in Zimbabwe and requesting that the Australian Government take all appropriate action in addressing the situation in Zimbabwe, so that the citizens may live in peace, with freedom of worship and association (COA 16 May 2007, Minute 06/447).  (Appendix 4)
13. Request the Moderator and Clerk of Assembly to communicate with the Presbyterian Church in Zimbabwe offering moral support and asking if there is any way in which the Presbyterian Church of Queensland is able to be of assistance.
14.  Note that Radio 96.5 (and possibly other Christian radio stations) are very keen to receive press reports from the churches concerning “good news” stories to be featured in news bulletins and at other times through the day to strengthen the positive approach toward the Church from the general community (noting that the listenership of 96.5 is made up of 48% persons who have not attended a church within the last year) and encourage the Committee to formulate some strategy to enable our churches to maximise such benefits.
15.  In relation to any apparent possible restructuring of CTA, instruct the Committee to carefully monitor any such moves and to research whether it would not be a better use of finances to give support and encouragement to 96.5, together with all city and regional Christian radio stations, rather than commitment to TV which no longer has the advantage of legislation to ensure Christian content;  and encourage the Committee to have discussions with the Finance and Administration Board in relation to the financial aspects of such a matter.
16. Note Assembly Paper 17, the letter from the Lord Mayor of Brisbane to the Clerk of Assembly of 25 May 2007 re “the requirements that employees of Council, in particular a member of your Church employed in our libraries, work on Sundays”.
17. Advise the Lord Mayor of Brisbane that the Church has no problems with members of the Church being engaged in working in areas of necessity or mercy on Sundays, but has strong objection to members of the Church being compelled to work in areas of employment for only the convenience of the community on Sunday;  and that we are also concerned that employees who request not to be required for such Sunday work due to their Christian commitment, will become subject to disciplinary action, with the possibility of the termination of employment.
18.  Forward a copy of the Lord Mayor’s letter, together with a copy of the letter to the Lord Mayor, to the Heads of Churches, for its information and action as appropriate.

Extracted from the records of the General Assembly by me- (Rev) R Clark- Clerk of Assembly

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF ASSEMBLY

14 April 2007

CL 06  Statement on Marriage  (Refer Min. 99/11 above)

Prime Minister
Leader of the Opposition

The Hon Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition

Marriage and Family

The Presbyterian Church of Queensland supported the amendment strengthening the Marriage Act 1961 to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life; and to confirm that unions solemnised overseas between same sex couples will not be recognised as marriages in Australia, and amendment of the Family Law Act 1975 to prevent intercountry adoptions by same sex couples under multilateral or bilateral agreements or arrangements.

The Church is also supportive of the Government’s moves to direct the Governor-General not to sign into law the ACT legislation establishing recognition of same sex unions, as well as moves to counter recognition of same sex unions in Tasmania; as both of these actions undermine the status of marriage.

We are encouraged by moves by the Government to support and strengthen family life.  However we are concerned that the payment of the "Baby Bonus" in a lump sum may not be in the best interests of all families, and that there may be a possible greater benefit if it is paid in instalments.  If the "Baby Bonus" encourages one woman to keep a pregnancy to term rather than have an abortion, then it is worthwhile.  The other concern in this area is that the short term financial benefits of having a baby, may encourage an increase in the number of unmarried mothers becoming pregnant.

Yours faithfully
 
Rt Rev Rudi Schwartz (Rev)

Ron Clark
Moderator Clerk of Assembly