The Church decisions on government
1982 B.B. Min. 156
27. State its conviction that the authority of all civil governments is derived from God (Romans 13:1) and is therefore limited by God (Acts 5:29), and call upon the Queensland Government to recognise this truth.
1987 B.B. Min. 329
17. Commend the State Government on their recent industrial legislation aimed at assisting the economy of the State and preserving the stability of the community.
1992 Commission of Assembly
26. The Clerk laid on the table a communication for the Public Questions and Communications Committee re a “Report on Review of Permanent Exemptions Under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984”, and moved that it be received.
The motion was seconded and approved.
27. Rev L.J. Percy moved, it was seconded and approved, that the Commission of Assembly:-
Advise the Attorney-General, the Hon. Michael Duffy, with copies to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition , the Queensland Members of the House of Representatives, the Queensland Members of the Senate, and the Media of the following:-
(a) The Presbyterian Church of Queensland requests that no amendments be made to Section 38 of The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Educational Institutions Established for Religious Purposes) as the exemptions granted in the Act enable a Church to consistently administer its own educational institutions in keeping with its doctrines and practices.
(b) The Church’s position on sexual practices is as stated in its 1989 Communication to the Queensland Minister for Education [BB Min.279.13(b) (c); 14(a)] viz:-
“13. (b)Advise the Minister for Education and Director General of Education that the Assembly regards the proposals set forth in its interim report on ‘Human Rerlationship Education for State Schools’ as a major change in education policy across the whole curriculum from pre-school to grade 12, which is in conflict with Religious Education in schools in that the proposal propagates a pluralistic, humanistic and rationalistic philosophical basis for society rather than a Judeo/Christian basis.
(c) Call on the Minister for Education to return to the status quo in practice, whereby the Judeo/Christian philosophy is accepted as basic and whereby Biblical ethics and morality are not merely an alternative to other bases for behaviour.
14. (a) Advise the Minister for Education that the Assembly regards instruction in human sexuality to be primarily a responsibility of parents, to be given within the Biblical constraints of chastity before marriage and fidelity within marriage, to the exclusion of all other sexual practices and preferences.”
1993 B.B. Min. 227
7. (a) Concur with the action of the Clerk, the Moderator and the Convener of the Public Questions and Communications Committee in submitting a response to the Electoral and Administrative Review Commission’s Paper No.20, ‘Review of the Preservation and Enhancement of Individuals’ Rights and Freedoms’.
(b) Note the action of the Commission of Assembly in relationi to the communiqué ‘Review of Permanent Exemptions under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984’.
(c) Note the statement ‘On Racism’ as found on page 3 of the report from The Reformed Ecumenical Council – “Although South Africa will live with the aftermath of apartheid for some years to come, the Assembly was able to see that substantial progress has been made in this area, both in South African society and in our member churches. The Assembly, at the same time expressed its awareness that racism was not restricted to our churches in South and Southern Africa. It therefore requests that all member churches examine themselves, and report to the REC on matters of race relations at our next Assembly. The text of the resolution reads:
“Member churches are requested to include in their reports to the next REC meeting matters of race relations in their countries and churches as well as the response of their churches to racism.”
And request the Public Questions and Communications Committee to present a report on racism to the 1994 Assembly.
1993 B.B. Min. 227
11. Endorse the memorandum re: Status of Laws Relating to Abortion in Queensland, forwarded by the Clerk of Assembly to the Premier, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, The Courier Mail (Church Column) and the media.
1993 B.B. Min. 227
18. 1. Note Section 47 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 provides for the addition of “international instruments” to this act.
On February 24, 1993 the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religious Belief was published in the Commonwealth Gazette. This Declaration has the force of law from that date.
The Declaration, originating in the United Nations, contains provisions which have implications for the Christian Church and for the practice of the Christian faith by its adherents. The following exceprts fall into the areas of concern:-
Article 1:
3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
Article 2:
1. No on shall be subject to discrimination by any State, Institution, group of persons, or person on grounds of religion or other belief.
2. For the purposes of the present Declaration, the expression “intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief” means any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on religion or belief and having as its purpose or as its effect nullification or impairment of the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis.
Article 4:
1. All States shall take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in the recognition, exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural life.
Article 5:
3. The child shall be protected from any form of discrimination on the ground of religion or belief. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, respect for freedom of religion or belief of others, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.
5. Practices of a religion or belief in which a child is brought up must not be injurious to his physical or mental health or to his full development, taking into account article 1, paragraph 3, of the present Declaration.
Article 6:
In accordance with article 1 of the present Declaration, and subject to the provisions of article 1, paragraph 3, the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief shall include inter alia, the following freedoms:
(a) To worship or assembly in connection with a religion or belief, and to establish and maintain places for these purposes.
(b) To teach a religion or belief in places suitable for these purposes.
Article 7:
The rights and freedoms set forth in the present Declaration shall be accorded in national legislation in such a manner that everyone shall be able to avail himself of such rights and freedoms in practice.
2. Advise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Federal Opposition, the Federal Parliamentary Leader of the National Party, the Leader of the Australian Democrats in the Senate, all Queensland Members of the Senate, all Queensland Members of the House of Representatives, the Premier of Queensland, the Leader of the State Opposition, the Leader of the Queensland Parliamentary Liberal Party, and the media:-
That the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland:
(a) is concerned that the addition of “International instruments” to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 has the capacity to overarch both the Constitution of Australia and Common Law.
(b) is concerned that the values stated in Paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the “Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religious Belief” are the values of the Religion of Humanism.
(c) is concerned that the religious freedom of the Christian Church in Australia may be eroded if the requirements of the “Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religious Belief” are rigorously applied.
(d) calls on the Prime Minister to move to rescind the legislation establishing the “International Instrument” the “Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religious Belief.”
1994 Commission of Assembly March 9
MINUTE 15 Queensland Law Reform Commission:
(i) Female Genital Mutilation and
(ii) Routnine Infant Male Circumcision
The Clerk laid on the table material from the Queensland Law Reform Commission and communications from the Public Questions and Communications Committee and a response from the Rev Peter Bloomfield and moved that they be received.
The Commission noted that the Church had been granted an extension of time until 18 March for a submission to the Queensland Law Reform Commission.
It was moved, seconded and approved, that the Commission:-
Adopt the response from the Rev P.J. Bloomfield, with the addition of a new clause 5 under “Male Circumcision” as follows:-
“5. However, not withstanding this, we are aware that medical opinion is divided on this matter, and we are also concerned about the gradual dilution of parental authority in our society today.
Accordingly, we believe that parents should be informed, but that should they elect to proceed with circumcision for their son, no impediment should be placed in their way.”
“14 March 1994
Mr Wayne Briscoe
Commissioner
Q'ld Law Reform Commission
P.O. Box 312
ROMA STREET, BRISBANE Q 4003Dear Sir,
Response to the Queensland Law Reform Commission's Research Papers
"Circumcision of Male Infants", and "Female Genital Mutilation".Preface: We preface our response by sincerely thanking the Law Reform Commission for the clarity and scope of the two excellent Research Papers. We also think it is appropriate to indicate the grounds for our following response. Our standard for assessing right and wrong is the Holy Bible, comprising the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, and whatever may be deducted from the same by good and necessary consequence.
(a) Response anent the circumcision of male infants.
The Presbyterian Church of Queensland advises that:
1) Since male circumcision was the covenant sign for Jehovah-worshippers in the period of Abraham to Christ, being explicitly commanded by God himself, after which it gave way to the bloodless sign of water baptism; and since the inspired Apostles of Christ regarded circumcision thereafter to be a thing indifferent, for which they strenuously opposed the Jewish "circumcision party" for its hardline approach in denying liberty and insisting on mandatory circumcision for God's people; therefore there is no longer any warrant for male circumcision on religious grounds.
2) Therefore we oppose in principle the ritual circumcisions practised by Jews, Muslims, and Australian Aboriginals. The religious warrant for circumcision was fixed in terms of both epoch and culture. It was restricted to the Mosaic epoch of the covenant, and it was intended for the descendants of Abraham together with any proselytes who converted to the worship of Jehovah. No other religions have ever had warrant for circumcision, since they deny the very covenant it signifies.
3) While we believe that therapeutic circumcisions are appropriately left to the decisions of competent medical practitioners operating with informed consent, we see no good reasons for the practice of routine neonatal circumcisions. We therefore concur with The Australian Medical Association, The Australian College of Paediatrics, and The Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, that routine neonatal circumcision should be discouraged.
4) We see no need to change the law at this moment because of the widespread community acceptance of neonatal circumcision and because it is very unlikely that legal action could succeed against a competent medical practitioner operating in good faith and with due care. However, we do commend the suggestion for reform, that medical practitioners be required, either by law or a professional Code of Practice, to inform parents of all arguments for and against circumcision, prior to undertaking the procedure. We also believe that routine neonatal circumcision should be removed from the Medical Benefits Schedule and that a suitable community education programme be started. These two measures would probably greatly reduce the number of circumcisions taking place.
5) However, not withstanding this, we are aware that medical opinion is divided on this matter, and we are also concerned about the gradual dilution of parental authority in our society today. Accordingly, we believe that parents should be informed, but that should they elect to proceed with circumcision for their son, no impediment should be placed in their way.
(B) Response anent female genital mutilation.
1) The Presbyterian Church of Queensland agrees with the Commission's view viz "female genital mutilation is a practice which is totally unacceptable to the Australian community". We regard it as a barbaric, inhuman, and godless practice.
2) Given that there is a question of whether or not the Queensland Criminal Code does, (one way or another), prohibit all forms of this ghastly practice, we believe that there is a need for law reform. We believe that law should contain specific provisions prohibiting female genital mutilation except for recognised medical procedures.
3) We also urge the Commission to consider legislation that would preclude Australian residents travelling overseas in order to have such operations done to themselves or their daughters.
4) We assure the Commission of our sensitivity to the difficulties inherent in a multicultural society where freedom of religion is the right of all its members. That freedom cannot be absolute. There is the question of where to "draw the line". Thus we concur with the Commission: "Although Australia is a multicultural society which recognises that an individual's own cultural values should be respected to the greatest extent possible, there are some practices that are so abhorrent to the wider Australian community that they should not be tolerated. For example, Australians have never tolerated the Indian practice of women throwing themselves on their husband's funeral pyre or Chinese child footbinding."
Likewise, we should not tolerate the pagan rituals (e.g. Moloch worship) which include painful and grossly superstitious acts being done to children or other initiates, even child sacrifices.
We regard some Aboriginal initiation rites as ongoing examples of this pagan superstition. They are in a true sense parallel to the loathsome practice of female genital mutilation. They constitute irreversible, non-therapeutic, maiming, intrusive, procedures with grave risks to the health and general quality of life for the person who suffers them. It is a sad thing that our society shows tolerance to Aboriginal bodily mutilations.
We therefore urge the Commission to be consistent in any decisions it makes regarding female genital mutilation, so that other like forms of body-mutilation, such as Aboriginal initiation rites, are not overlooked.
Respectfully submitted by The Presbyterian Church of Queensland,
Very Rev Dr. K J Gardner, O.B.E.
Clerk of Assembly”
1997 B.B 83
5. Commend those members of Parliament, including those mentioned in this report, who are taking a stand for godly values in our community, and encourage the church to uphold them constantly in prayer.
1998 B.B min. 67
1. Note and endorse the Committee’s submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on the “Enquiry into the Status of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child.”
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1998 B.B min. 67
3. (i) Request the Board of Finance to investigate providing the funding for the supply of sufficient copies of the booklet, “Democracy Down Under – Understanding Our Constitution” for each Presbytery to provide them to each Kirk Session for consideration, and authorise them to meet all costs if they believe it to be feasible.
(ii) Urge Sessions and Congregations to purchase further copies and to commend its wider distribution.
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2004 B.B. MIN. ??
7. Write to the Prime Minister, with a copy to the leader of the National Party, the leader of the Labor Party, the leader of the Australian Democrats Party, the leader of the Greens Party, the Premier of Queensland, the leader of the National Party in Queensland, the leader of the Liberal Party in Queensland, and the media, advising him that the rejection of a Judeo/Christian law base and ethical values and the embracing of multicultural pluralism as the basis of society in Australia by both the Commonwealth and the State Governments, has led to the adoption of Humanism as the primary religion of the Nation with a breakdown of the stability of the family and an increasing level of lawlessness in society.
2005 B.B. MIN. 98
5. Note the submission made by the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener, to the Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee inquiry into the provisions of a Preamble for the Queensland Constitution (COA, 16th December 2004, Minute 8).
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2005 B.B. MIN. 98
6. Forward letters of encouragement to the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, Salt Shakers and The Australian Christian Lobby, commending them on their efforts in the light of the conviction, in December 2004, of Pastors Daniel Nalliah and Daniel Scot with Catch the Fires Ministries, to have the Victorian Government review the Religious and Racial Tolerance Act of 2001, with a view to amending or repealing the section dealing with Religious Vilification.
2005 B.B. MIN. 98
7. (a) Note that the Board of Finance is in the process of obtaining legal opinion as to the implications of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 on the Church and its Office bearers.
(b) Counsel Office Bearers, Sessions, Presbyteries to act in such a manner in good conscience before God so as to prudently exercise public ministry.
2005 B.B. MIN. 98
8. Request the Brisbane City Council to withdraw or revise the publication Islam in Brisbane so that it refrains from making any theological statements offensive to the Christian faith.
2005 B.B. MIN. 98
14. Advise the Prime Minister, the Minister for Immigration, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Leader of the Parliamentary National Party, the Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and the media that the Presbyterian Church of Queensland
1. Is thankful for the number of refugee places given to Sudanese fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
2. Supports the speedy processing of applications for refugee status and appeals against the non-granting of refugee status.
2006 B.B. MIN. 134
11. Note that the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener of the Public Questions Committee, issued a statement in the name of the Church, stating that the Church is concerned that any changes to laws in the area of employment and industrial relations do not make it more difficult for families to attend worship and that the Church is concerned that employees are not pressured/required to work at the expense of time which needs to be spent with the family and within the life of the local Church. (CoA November 2005, Minute 37.
2006 B.B. MIN. 134
20. (a) Note, that in relation to “An Open Letter to Preserve Australian Migration Laws”, from the Hon. Kim Beasley, Leader of the Opposition, the GAA Church and Nation Committee, at its meeting of the 7th June 2006, resolved to receive the letter and forward it to the State Committees with the recommendation that they consider whether the “pacific solution” is a just way of dealing with illegal immigration.
(b) Note “An Open Letter to Preserve Australian Migration Laws”, from the Hon. Kim Beasley, Leader of the Opposition, and record a copy of the letter in the record of the Assembly.
(c) Advise the Prime Minister, with copies to the Leader of the Federal Opposition, the Leader of the Parliamentary National Party and the Media, that the Assembly;
(i) Recognises the responsibility of the Australian Government to determine who will enter Australia and to protect Australia’s borders.
(ii) Is thankful for the number of refugee places provided, particularly to those displaced by the civil war in the Sudan.
(iii) Is desirous that the processing of asylum seekers be carried out in a speedy manner.
(iv) Is desirous that women and children asylum seekers not be held in prison type facilities.
2006 B.B. MIN. 134
25. Write to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and the Media:
(a). Expressing concern at the systematic genocide of Christians and any who oppose the forced Islamisation of Irian Jaya and the exploitation by the corrupt TNI (Indonesia Militia) of Irian Jaya’s timber and mineral resources;
(b). Urge the Prime Minister to immediately take up these matters with the President of Indonesia, insisting that the actions being taken in Irian Jaya are not consistent with a country (Indonesia) that proclaims freedom of religion and a respect for the rights of individuals.
2006 B.B. MIN. 134
26. Write to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and the Media:
Expressing concern in respect to the Government’s proposal to process refugees offshore for the following reasons. Offshore processing:
1. is dehumanizing to treat refugees in this way;
2. will hinder groups such as the Christian Church providing spiritual and other resources;
3. will disadvantage refugees in assessing legal aid.
2008 B.B. MIN. 102
7. Note that the Brisbane City Council has an inflexible employment policy which requires staff to work on Sunday, even if it was possible for the staff member to exchange such rostered work with another employee, and that communicants be advised through Sessions and through New Directions of the Council’s policy.
2009 B.B. MIN. 106
18. Note the Submission on the Preamble to the Queensland Constitution issued by the Moderator and the Clerk, with the concurrence of the Convener of the Public Questions and Communications Committee, and incorporate a copy in the Record of the Assembly.
12 March 2009
Mrs Dianne Reilly MP
Chair, Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee
Parliament House
George Street
BRISBANE Q 4000
Dear Mrs Reilly
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the preamble for the Queensland Constitution. Following a perusal of the discussion paper and the other documents referred to therein, the Presbyterian Church of Queensland does not believe that the case for the insertion of a preamble has been convincingly made. In the absence of such a case, the Church is opposed to the insertion of a preamble to the Constitution of Queensland.
If, however, a preamble is to be added, the following points should be noted.
Yours sincerely
(Rt Rev) John Gilmour (Rev) Ron Clark
Moderator, PCQ Clerk of Assembly, PCQ
2009 B.B. MIN. 106
13. Note that the Queensland Parliament has added a Preamble to the Constitution of Queensland as follows:
“The people of Queensland, free and equal citizens of Australia:
(a) intend through this Constitution to foster the peace, welfare and good government of Queensland; and
(b) adopt the principle of the sovereignty of the people, under the rule of law, and the system of representative and responsible government, prescribed by this Constitution; and
(c) honour the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians, whose lands, winds and waters we all now share; and pay tribute to their unique values, and their ancient and enduring cultures, which deepen and enrich the life of our community; and
(d) determine to protect our unique environment; and
(e) acknowledge the achievements of our forebears, coming from many backgrounds, who together faced and overcame adversity and injustice, and whose efforts bequeathed to us, and future generations, a realistic opportunity to strive for social harmony; and
(f) resolve, in this the 150th anniversary year of the establishment of Queensland, to nurture our inheritance, and build a society based on democracy, freedom and peace.
Effect of preamble:
The Parliament does not intend by the preamble to:
(a) create in any person any legal right or give rise to any civil cause of action; or
(b) affect in any way the interpretation of this Act or of any other law in force in Queensland.”