21st May, 2010

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott have both agreed to take part in a live web-cast to Christians and churches across the nation in the lead-up to the next Federal Election.

Both leaders will speak and take questions during the event which will be held at Canberra's Old Parliament House on 21st June. About 200 Christian leaders from across Australia will travel to Canberra for the event.

Hosted by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), it comes in the wake of a similar event held in the lead-up to the last federal election in which then Prime Minister John Howard and Mr Rudd, then leader of the Opposition, were watched by more than 100,000 Christians meeting in 846 churches across the nation.

The ACL hope as many as 300,000 people will watch this year's webcast.

“This is a unique chance for Christians to hear first-hand from the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader about how their party being chosen to govern would affect the character of our nation,” says ACL managing director Jim Wallace. “It also provides an opportunity to hear their responses to questions which often fall under the radar of mainstream election coverage."

“We need to be influencing all political parties to develop well-considered policy initiatives and a vision for Australia that engenders an increasingly moral and caring society.”

Churches can register for the event at www.australiavotes.org.

- DAVID ADAMS