Religion & Ethics Australia Daily

A twice-weekly public affairs review from the Centre for Christian Ethics, Morling College

No. 014, 30 Nov-2 Dec 2004  ² compiled by Rod Benson

News reports

Aboriginal issues

Referring to the practice of dispensing tribal justice to Aboriginal people Janet Albrechtsen sharply criticises the “moral relativism condoned by champions of radical multiculturalism” that “allows tolerance of different cultures to morph into different laws for different people.” Aust 1 Dec 04

The Australian’s leader describes federal Aboriginal policy as “a dismal failure” and suggests that the demise of ATSIC and the Howard government’s move away from no-strings-attached welfare are positive developments. Other ways forward include self-help, zero tolerance of violence and substance abuse, partnerships with government and business, mutual obligation and scholarships to enable Aboriginal young people to board in elite schools. Aust 1 Dec 04

Aboriginal parents will have a say in selecting teachers and managing public schools that will open for extended hours under sweeping changes to be announced by the NSW government. Reclassifying schools with high concentrations of Aboriginal students as “community schools” would eventually affect 50 to 150 schools, the Minister for Education, Andrew Refshauge, confirmed yesterday. SMH 1 Dec 04

Former AFL star Michael Long is attracting wide-ranging political support as he arrives in Canberra for the last leg of his walk for reconciliation. Opposition Leader Mark Latham said today he would join Mr Long who is due to arrive at Parliament House today after walking most of the way from Melbourne. Greens Senator Bob Brown called on Prime Minister John Howard to match what he called should match Mr Long’s “nobleness of spirit” on indigenous issues. The Age 2 Dec 04

John Howard is planning a return to discrimination and paternalism, writes Labor’s spokesman on indigenous affairs and reconciliation Kim Carr. The Age 2 Dec 04

Abuse – sexual

Why are women still blamed when they are assaulted, asks a woman who was raped ten years ago.

SMH 2 Dec 04

Ageing

Ross Gittins argues that there are sound reasons for the young to welcome the ageing of Australia’s population. SMH 1 Dec 04

Animal rights

Miranda Devine argues that the animal rights movement is dangerously out of control, citing recent actions against the Australian wool industry by US-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the organisation’s suggestion that it will mount an anti-fishing and anti-fish eating campaign in Australia on the basis that fish are intelligent and have feelings. SMH 2 Dec 04

Corporate governance

So many governance and compliance demands are made of chief financial officers that they are ignoring commercial duties, writes Malcolm Simister.

AFR 30 Nov 04

Death & dying

A sedentary lifestyle fuelled by alcohol, tobacco, and junk food is killing NSW people in large numbers, with three-quarters of premature deaths caused by preventable illness, a new report reveals. SMH 30 Nov 04

Energy

There needs to be more reality in energy conservation programs, the director of the deregulation unit at the Institute of Public Affairs, Alan Moran, argues.

AFR 2 Dec 04

Environment

Australia must ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which comes into force on 16 February, because it will not be offered such favourable terms to join again, writes John Quiggin, ARC Federation fellow in economics and political science at the University of Queensland. AFR 2 Dec 04

Ethics – business – general

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal catastrophe, one of the most dishonourable occurrences in corporate history, killing more than 20,000 people and injuring many more, writes Phillip Adams. Aust 30 Nov 04

Ethics – government

The AFR leader discusses issues surrounding the practice of offering “handouts” to groups in sensitive electorates. “Government needs to be open, accountable and above board . [The Howard government] must ensure that all processes for doling out taxpayers’ money in the future are impeccable to allay fears that it could abuse its power over both houses of parliament after July.” AFR 1 Dec 04

HIV/AIDS

Former federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge claims that Australia is winning the war against AIDS. Aust 1 Dec 04

Internet

ISPs will face bullying as the controversial US free trade agreement copyright regime comes here, writes Karen Dearne. Aust 30 Nov 04

A federal government agency plans to issue a free software program to internet users allowing them to dob in a spammer as the government intensifies its campaign against junk email. AFR 2 Dec 04

Marriage

From observing what transpires in the consulting room, the first thing to say about the battle of the sexes is that the conflict is far from over. Hugh Joffe, a Sydney-based clinical psychologist, writes on couple relationships.

AFR 2 Dec 04

Parenting

Parents will face fines of up to $2000 for failing to control their wayward children, under a radical court-ordered program that will be the first of its kind in the country. Modelled on a British system, the parental support and responsibility legislation will be introduced in Western Australia. Aust 30 Nov 04

Politics – UN

A report has recommended sweeping changes to the UN, including more permanent members and younger people in senior roles. AFR 2 Dec 04

The UN Security Council would swell to 24 members and yardsticks to determine the legitimacy of military action would be created under far-reaching reforms that aim to avoid a repeat of the bitter divisions exposed by the war in Iraq. Aust 2 Dec 04

Racism

Police are investigating claims a grazier in western Queensland tied nooses around the necks of two teenage Aborigines and dragged them around for almost an hour in an attack described as “Ku Klux Klan-style” sadism. The youths, and two others, were allegedly caught breaking into the farmer’s house east of Goondiwindi. Aust 2 Dec 04

Religious liberty

Nepal is a Hindu state, with 86% of its some 26.5 million people practising Hinduism. Since 1990 it has been a democracy within a constitutional monarchy. The Church in Nepal has grown steadily over its 50 years. There is a degree of religious freedom, but proselytising is still illegal. Maoist rebels, a serious problem, mainly target Nepal’s political regime, but increasingly Christian churches and groups are embroiled in the conflict. Some rebels have said ‘all Christians are spies’. Maoists attack Christian centres in search of boys to conscript into their army. Travel for ministry is hazardous due to rebel activity. A national missionary team was captured in a remote mountain village, but later released. Some Christian workers have reportedly had written orders to leave the areas where they minister. Please pray for peace in Nepal, the outreach of the Church, and protection of Christian workers. RLP Prayer Bulletin 1 Dec 04

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church in NSW faces a dire shortage of priests in the next 20 years as its clergy ages, retires and dies, with predictions that it will have fewer than one-sixth the number needed to conduct Sunday mass.

SMH 2 Dec 04

Sex

Adelaide’s Anglican Holy Trinity Church declared last week “Good Sex Week” and held three public forums on the subject. “The best sex is had in a loving committed relationship, where you do not have to fear that the other person is going to let you down, or do something to hurt you, where it is okay to be vulnerable, to trust,” Rev Paul Harrington, the church rector, said. ABC radio 25 Nov 04

Terrorism

Around the world key players are warning that nuclear terrorism is inevitable. But is it a real threat in Australia and what is being done to prepare for it? Sushi Das reports. The Age 2 Dec 04

Trade

Australia took a historic step last night towards strengthening economic ties with Asia, agreeing to negotiate a lucrative trade pact with the 10-member ASEAN bloc of nations. The breakthrough comes despite continuing sensitivities over Canberra’s refusal to sign a regional non-aggression pact, known as the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation, which New Zealand has already signed. Aust 1 Dec 04

Weapons

The Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World took place from 29 Nov to 3 Dec. This was the First Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, and the most significant gathering of world leaders to address the global landmine problem since the land mines treaty was signed at Ottawa, Canada in December 1997. The treaty was unusual in that it banned a weapon that was already in use and was supported by defence departments. Wesley Mission

An American NGO that campaigns against landmines said on Tuesday that Washington’s refusal to join the international treaty banning the use of the mines had set a bad example to other countries that have not stopped using the weapons. AllAfrica.com 1 Dec 04

Other items of interest

Transcript of the 2004 Acton Lecture, “Rendering unto Caesar: New challenges for church and state,” by moral philosopher Dr Samuel Gregg, Centre for Independent Studies, 18 May 2004. http://www.cis.org.au/Events/acton/acton04.htm

Transcript of the Nicholas Hinton Lecture, given at the Annual General Meeting of the UK’s National Council for Voluntary Organisations by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, 17 Nov 2004. http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/sermons_speeches/041117.html

“My big black Bible has too much in it. It makes too many things moral issues. I need to get me one of those small, shorter, easier Bibles where the only moral issues are abortion, gay rights and same-sex unions,” writes Presbyterian pastor Rick Brand. http://www.ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=5050

READ is published by the Centre for Christian Ethics, Morling College, 120 Herring Rd, Eastwood NSW 2122 AUSTRALIA. Telephone (02) 9878 0201. The content of READ and the views expressed in articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Centre for Christian Ethics, Morling College or the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT. Subscription is free. To subscribe, email with the words “subscribe to READ” in the subject line. Use the same email address to request more information. Copies of original articles are available on request. Abbreviations: AFR=The Australian Financial Review; Aust=The Australian; SMH=The Sydney Morning Herald.