pathways, SEPTEMBER 2007
Queensland's Social Action Office (SAO) has launched Refresh Australia! in a bid to promote discussion and dialogue on three key social issues in the run-up to the Federal election.
The campaign calls for
a refreshed climate change policy which maximises renewable energy sources;
refreshed Indigenous Australian relationships to promote a future strong in culture, health and genuine partnerships;
refreshed industrial relations which ensure a balance in work and life choices.
According to the SAO Coordinator, Sr Kathleen Tynan PBVM
(pictured), the Refresh Australia! campaign is about encouraging people - individuals and communities - to engage with others - their family, friends, co-workers, members of faith communities, politicians and electoral candidates - to add values to the debates in the current political climate.
"We need to shift the agenda," Sr Kathleen said. "This campaign will extend beyond the federal election as we believe that the justice values implicit in the three agenda areas must be incorporated into ongoing policy development for the future prosperity of this country.
"It is SAO's belief that climate change, Indigenous affairs and industrial relations are three critical issues that face us at this time in our history.
"We are inviting people - members of Religious Congregations and all people of good will - to reflect on these issues and ask, before they vote, which party demonstrates the capacity, political will and capability to deliver on their stated policies.
"We also want people to consider which policies are aligned more closely with the values we uphold."
Sr Kathleen quoted Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ (
Australian Catholics, Winter 2007):
At election time we have the choice of switching off or switching on. If we become involved in the conversation about which party will best govern Australia, we can help shape the Australia of our dreams.
"A federal election provides us with an opportunity to imagine an Australia where prosperity benefits our country and all our citizens," she said.
The campaign urges people to distribute the Refresh Australia! cards (available from the website or from the SAO Office) either by email or in printed form; to discuss, lobby and be informed.
"The vision of the Social Action Office is to be fully engaged in God's transformative dream for all creation," Sr Kathleen said. "In this dream, those in highest need are given the highest priority.
"Join us in helping us create this dream in which prosperity and values are about so much more than the almighty dollar."
And receive regular campaign updates and event information via a free fortnightly e-newsletter
SAO Bytes (
subscribe) A special edition of
SAO Bytes - Food for Thought will be published the alternative weeks in the lead-up to the election. The first edition has two comments which relate to the Northern Territory National Emergency Legislation ...
One of them in part observes the "sad, appalling result" of a media conference at which Senator Bill Heffernan caused a stir. There was no coverage of the facts being told by the Aboriginal people, "no mention of the crowd of civil society representatives from churches and NGOs across the country bearing witness to the travesty being played out in front of them and no media witnessing to the quiet and dignified elders in whose name we had gathered ..."
The
Social Action Office is the justice and peace desk of the Congregational Leaders of Religious Institutes in Queensland. Contact details are:
PO Box 8304, Woolloongabba, Qld, 4102
T: 07 3891 5866 F:. 07 3891 5868 W:
http://sao.clriq.org.au
ALSO IN AUGUST ...
Australia's Catholic Bishops have issued a statement in which they urge Catholics to consider the common good when casting their vote this year.
The statement, approved by the nation's 42 Bishops, raises a number of key issues for people to consider as they weigh things up in the approach to the election.
"Catholic tradition holds that the common good is underpinned by the promotion and protection of human dignity. Implicit in seeking the common good is the desire to serve the poor, the marginalised, the sick and the forgotten in our society," it says.
While respecting the right of people to vote for the party of their choice, the Bishops urge people of faith to take an active interest in the political process and the future of the nation.
and
The brochure says: As Christians, we need to be active and informedparticipants in our society. The Catholic Church does not tell us how to cast our vote, nor does it endorse any political party. Often, it can be difficult to judge which policies are the most consistent with Christian values, and people may legitimately disagree on such matters. This leaflet aims to help you think about some important issues that will be decided in this election and offers some questions that you could raise with all candidates in your electorate. Some of these issues aren't the ones you will see in headlines or hear about from parties, but they are still crucial in shaping what kind of society we all live in.
The brochure focuses on Justice for ... Indigeonous people ... in the workplace ... for those made poor ... asylum seekers ... climate and the enviornment. As well as giving brief information, it poses several questions that can be asked.
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