The Leader of the Federal Opposition, Dr Brendon Nelson, approached the Presbyterian Church of Australia recently as part of his desire to be well informed on the views of Australia’s ‘religious leaders’.

The Moderator General of Australia, Robert Benn (pictured at left) took up the opportunity to meet with Dr Nelson (centre) in Sydney in August, along with NSW Moderator Rt Rev Bruce Meller (second from left) , Clerk of both State and Federal Assemblies and past NSW moderator Rev Dr Paul Logan (second from right) and General Manager Wayne Richards (right).

Mr Benn said the meeting had been a positive one. “It was a wonderful opportunity to place our unequivocal position regarding the sovereignty of God over all of life before Dr Nelson,” he said. “It was pleasing to receive a sympathetic hearing and indeed support for much of what we stand for.”

Topics discussed included: 

• Pro Life and the sanctity of life as challenged by abortion and euthanasia advocates;
• Religious freedoms, especially as it related to anti-discrimination legislation;
• Equity in relation to funding of independent schools with the associated freedom to choose appropriate schools for the education of our children;
• Opposition to same sex marriage; and
• The reasons why we believe that government funding for our children’s hospital (Allowah) to help seriously disadvantaged children is appropriate.

Other issues were covered such as the abusive use of the internet for immoral purposes and apparent lack of government interest in more effective control in that area; also the media sexualisation of children. Issues of alcohol abuse and gambling and the devastating effect on families were discussed.

Dr Nelson said he believed every child was entitled to a loving relationship with at least one parent, proper schooling where they got a sense of belonging and identity and gained a real purpose and meaning to life – as provided by organisations such as the Presbyterian Church.

“Dr Nelson responded to all our concerns, entered into them, told of the complications in dealing with some of them, and assured us of his intention to address the issues in a way that would press on towards the greater good of our society,” Mr Benn said.  “It is his intention to respond in writing to our expressed concerns.

“We considered that this time spent with Dr Nelson was of significant value, particularly as we recognised that this kind of initiative had not previously been taken with our church leadership by a political party in the living memory of those of us who participated.”

Dr Nelson appreciated the gift of a copy of the most recent Federal (Australian Presbyterian) and State (Presbyterian Pulse) Church publications to read during his forthcoming overseas travels.

The meeting was concluded with a reading from Scripture and prayer for him and the government.