Federal Election 2004

The federal election has been called for 9 October 2004 .

On this page we will have links, articles, information . . . Comparison of party polices, statements of parties on key issues, information on voting, etc....

Christian Values Check List
A Christian Values Check List, co-ordinated by a number of Christian groups, has now been released. This takes a number of key moral and ethical issues and analyses the policies of the major political parties.

Also provided here is a Paper containing supporting statements from the policy documents of the political parties.

NOTE: Printing the Check List...
This document can be forwarded by email or a link given to other people.

If you wish to print and distribute the Check List, it must contain an 'authorisation' and the name of the printer on the document [both with addresses], as it is deemed to be an election 'advertisement' under the Electoral Act s328.
This can be typed or written on the document before printing.
1. Authorisation:
We have put the authorisation statement on the Check List.
2. Name of printer
Put "Printed by [name of printer, and the printer's address].

Please distribute it widely! The Supporting Statements can be copied on the back of the Check List.

The Check List has been prepared independently of any political party.
It MUST NOT be printed in association with any other material promoting any political party.

Political parties
Click here for links to all the major political parties - browse their websites to find out the policies.

The election process
The election is conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Their website contains lots of vital information on how the voting system works.
They have sections titled What, Who, Why, When and How.
The site contains answers to EVERY question (well, just about!) you have about elections. Click here for their website.

Which electorate am I in?
On the AEC website. Click here.
Then type in your SUBURB/TOWN and click on 'Search'.
Your electorate will be shown.
If TWO electorates are shown, click on each 'electorate' name in turn, and check the map, to see which electorate you are in.
Alternatively, to find out your electorate/Member, phone the AEC on 13 23 26.

Who is my Member (of the House of Representatives)?
If you are currently enrolled you can confirm your enrolment and get details of your electorate and Member. . .
Click here. Then type in your name as it appears on the electoral roll.
The site will then tell you your electorate, and provide links to information about your sitting Member.
Alternatively, to find out your electorate/Member, phone the AEC on 13 23 26.

The Senate election
Half the Senate is up for re-election. That means six Senators will be elected in each State. (Six are half-way through their term, and continue on)
In the NT and the ACT, where they have two Senators each, both of the Senators are up for election.

How does the voting system work?
In our September 2004 journal, we have an article that explains the voting system, including how your preferences are distributed. It explains how you can vote for a small party or an independent and still have your preferences 'flow on' if that person is not elected.
Contact the office to obtain a copy.
The voting system is explained thoroughly on the Australian Electoral Commission website... this includes a description of how the votes are counted in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Click here.

Other useful sites. . .

Evangelical Alliance Election site
Interesting articles on elections, voting, Christianity and politics, party policies.
Click here.
Note: This site has an article by a candidate for the Greens - Jim Reiher, a lecturer at a Melbourne Bible College - yet he fails to mention that the Greens support legalising drugs, abortion and euthanasia and fully endorse same-sex marriage!

Antony Green's Election Guide
The ABC has this useful election site - run by Antony Green who 'comments' on the results on TV on election night.
Click here.
The site includes an A-Z analysis of each electorate; key seats, margins, the swing 'pendulum', etc. . .