With Australians now set to go to the polls on 24th November, see Sight's coverage here...

FEDERAL ELECTION '07 - OUR SAY

And so, after six weeks of campaigning, it all comes down to this - a single day, 24th November, on which all Australians have the opportunity to have our their say on the future of our nation.

     We at Sight will not tell you who to vote for. We believe it is the responsibility of all thinking people to make that decision for themselves.

     No party has a right to our vote simply because our parents or peer group have voted for them in the past. Nor does any party have a right to a Christian’s vote. It is essential we all prayerfully weigh up and assess the policies of parties, both major and minor, in-line with our understanding of what the Bible teaches us about how we are to live our lives.

     Voting is not just about picking the party that will deliver the greatest benefit to our hip pockets. As Christians, we are exhorted to look beyond ourselves to those around us, particularly the vulnerable and impoverished, both in Australia and overseas. Who we chose to vote for should reflect this.

     In a greater way than ever before, Christians in Australia now have access to a wide range of materials which outline various parties’ views on a plethora of subjects. We urge you to avail yourself of these considerable resources in making your decision.

     Your vote is important. Make the most of the opportunity.

 - DAVID ADAMS

Sight editor

23.11.07: THE SIXTH WEEK (FINAL)

SOUNDBITE: The final polls, what the papers say and a last word of advice. DAVID ADAMS speaks to Glynis Quinlan, of the Australian Christian Lobby, about the sixth - and final - week of campaigning. Click the link to download the audio file (15 mins/3.4 MB)... | more...|

PREVIOUS FEDERAL ELECTION SOUNDBITES CLICK HERE...

ESSAY - HOW TO VOTE? TAKING A LESSON FROM THE UNITED STATES

After what has really been a year-long election campaign, we will soon cast our vote in the Federal election. So how shall we vote? In a society where we are told that we are the most important person in the world, we are encouraged to vote accordingly. But what would Jesus say about this? Although we cannot be so arrogant as to claim exactly how Jesus would vote, there are certain Biblical principles to follow when casting our vote.

     In 2004, in the lead-up to the US presidential election, Sojourners released a series of statements under the heading, God is not a Republican. Or a Democrat. While intended specifically for the US election, they apply equally to our own upcoming election in Australia. They are a very useful guide for when we are considering who to vote for.

     NILS VON KALM takes a look at some key issues to consider when deciding who to vote for... | more...|

THE (SHORT) INTERVIEW

We asked a range of prominent Christians for their thoughts on the election. Here are the replies we have received so far...

What are the most important issues of this election?
We need governments which protect the vulnerable and maintain justice and look beyond short-term ideas to long-term solutions. We have not heard much about the weak and vulnerable in the campaign so far – the mentally ill, the elderly, the poor. All governments need to do things like collect taxes, maintain infrastructure and maintain the law. It is the things beyond those basics which set leaders apart as visionary. It would be good to see more creative vision.

     Read more from Amanda Jackson, national coordinator of Micah Challenge Australia (right)... | more...|

What do you think of the campaigns so far?
"I think it is a campaign where there has been a good debate about the issues - about education, industrial relations, tax, climate change and of course overseas aid. Although I was disappointed that both major parties opted to $30 billion plus in tax cuts rather than spending in other critical areas."

     Read more from Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision Australia... | more...|

DON'T FORGET THE POOR, CHURCH LEADERS TELL POLITICIANS

     The eight goals, which were agreed to by almost every country in the world - including Australia - in 2000, include halving extreme poverty, providing universal primary education and significantly reducing the mortality rate of infants under five, all by 2015.

     In the statement which was released this week, less than two weeks before Australia heads for the polls, the church leaders said overseas aid was not a partisan matter.

     DAVID ADAMS reports... | more...|

WEIGHING THE ISSUES: CHRISTIANS SAY MARRIAGE AND FAMILY MOST IMPORTANT

Ensuring support for marriage and the family is the issue Christians in Australia believe they should be most active about when it comes to political lobbying, according to the results of research released by the Australian Christian Lobby.

  The research, which was compiled by the National Church Life Survey, asked more than 3,300 people from churches of 22 different Christian denominations to nominate up to four issues they believed were most important in terms of political lobbying.
      Fifty-eight per cent chose “support for marriage and family” followed by “poverty in Australia” (44 per cent), “abortion” (40 per cent), “drugs and substance abuse” (39 per cent) and “Third World poverty” (35 per cent).

     DAVID ADAMS reports on some new research looking at what Christians see as important when it comes to political lobbying and speaks to the Australian Christian Lobby about the launch of their new website - Australia Votes... | more... |

SIGHT-SEEING: FAITH AND POLITICS - A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SIN OF SODOM

No doubt the church is increasingly interested in public policy issues. About 700 churches across the country participated in the Rudd-Howard webcast in August, where the two political leaders were asked where they stood on a range of moral and justice issues. According to some reports, over 100,000 Christians took part in the event. This is a clear indication of their interest in political debates.
      But among Christians there seems to be a difference of opinion regarding which policy issues are most important. Some Christians think that social justice issues are most important. Others, especially evangelical and Pentecostal Christians, tend to be more concerned about personal morality issues, such as same-sex civil union and embryonic stem cell research.

     SIU FUNG WU puts a different slant on the Biblical story of Sodom... | more... |

PREVIOUS FEDERAL ELECTION SOUNDBITES:

16.11.07: THE FIFTH WEEK

SOUNDBITE: Campaign launches, spending sprees and some of the more unusual backgrounds of candidates. DAVID ADAMS speaks to Glynis Quinlan, of the Australian Christian Lobby, about the fifth week of campaigning. Click the link to download the audio file (17 mins/3.9 MB)... | more...|

8.11.07: THE FOURTH WEEK

SOUNDBITE: An interest rate rise, yet another debate and more family-friendly promises. DAVID ADAMS speaks to Glynis Quinlan, of the Australian Christian Lobby, about the fourth week of campaigning. Click the link to download the audio file (12 mins/2.8 MB)... | more...|

2.11.07: THE THIRD WEEK

SOUNDBITE: Riding the polls, looking at the issues that matter to Christians, and the answer to that age-old question, where does a cactus come from? DAVID ADAMS speaks to Glynis Quinlan, of the Australian Christian Lobby, about week three of the federal election campaign. Click the link to download the audio file (14 mins/3.3 MB)... | more...|

26.10.07: THE SECOND WEEK

SOUNDBITE: The 'Great Debate', child care promises, the spectre of interest rate rises, and tempers rising in Tasmania. DAVID ADAMS speaks to Glynis Quinlan, of the Australian Christian Lobby, about week two of the federal election campaign. Click the link to download the audio file (16 mins/3.6 MB)... | more...|

19.10.07: THE FIRST WEEK

SOUNDBITE : DAVID ADAMS speaks to Glynis Quinlan, of the Australian Christian Lobby about the first week of campaigning. Click the link to download the audio file (15 mins/3.5 MB)... | more...|

RESOURCES: Need more information? Follow the link to find a list of resources to help you make an informed vote...  | more...|

YOUR SAY: We've also set up a new space on our forums where you can have your say about anything to do with the federal election here or simply make your comment below...