2010 Federal election - Saturday August 21

On Saturday July 17, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that the federal election will be held on Saturday August 21, 2010.

The election will be for all 150 Members in the House of Representatives and half the Senate (38 Senators).

Each voter has one Member in the House of Representatives (they represent an 'electorate') and 12 Senators in the Senate (the ACT and the NT have 2 Senators each) who all represent the whole state.
Six Senators in each state will be up for election with the other six remaining in office until the next election.
For a description of the federal parliament and links to current MPs, click here.

It is vital that we check the policies of the political parties as well as speak with the individual candidates in our electorate to ascertain their own personal values and beliefs.

Christian Values Checklist

The Australian Christian Values Checklist compares the policies of the major political parties across a range of moral and ethical questions. We work with a number of other Christian organisations to prepare this document.
It was sent on our E-News (click here to subscribe).
Make sure you read it before voting!
Please distribute it widely to your churches and friends!

A SECOND edition was released on 19 August, 2010 - with changes to Labor's position on chaplaincy (money for 1000 more chaplains) and the Coalition giving a $200 voucher for pre-marriage education.

The revised Christian Values Checklists, as published on 19 August 2010 are:

Second Edition Christian Values Checklist 19 August 2010 Colour HR

Second Edition Christian Values Checklist 19 August 2010 Colour B & W

Supporting statements - 2010 federal election Christian Values Checklist - Third ed -19 Aug 2010 
- a 9 page document with links to political parties, policy statements and so on to substantiate the responses given in the Checklist.

One page Summary of Supporting Statements for 2010 Election CVCL - Second edition 19 Aug 2010
- this is suitable for photocopying on the BACK of the Christian Values Checklist!

Additional documents:

Statement about Labor's position on same-sex 'marriage'
- further clarification on Q9 on the Checklist about same-sex 'marriage.

Mandarin version of Christian Values Checklist released

Pastors of some Chinese churches have asked for a Mandarin version of the Australian Christian Values Checklist for the coming federal election so they can help their congregations understand the views of the political parties on a range of moral issues.

With their help in translating the Checklist questions and introduction, and also the one page summary of the Supporting Statements, these have now been published. If you have Mandarin-speaking friends, please let them know that these documents are now available and send them a copy! Or send them a link to this page!

Mandarin Version - Australian Christian Values Checklist for federal election August 2010

Mandarin version - 1 Page Summary of Supporting Statements for ACVCL 

Election information

The following information has been sent out on our E-News system regarding the election:

Party Policies
Each Party has their policies or platforms online. Some are more detailed than others!
It's important that we know what each party stands for!
Click the Party name to go to their policy page:
CDP
Democratic Labor Party
Family First
Liberal Party
The Nationals
Australian Labor Party - National Platform 2009 - Specific Policies
The Greens
Australian Democrats

For a full list of political parties that are registered in Australia by the Australian Electoral Commission as at the 2010 federal election - click here.

Helpful websites for the election

Australian Electoral Commission
Official Australian government body that conducts the federal election.
Web Site contains a lot of information about the election process, including:
* Electorates - search for your electorate
* Get lists of candidates and their contact details - once nominations close!
* Check Senate 'Group Voting Tickets' before voting! Available closer to the election!
* All the details about VOTING
* The election process explained

ABC Election website
ABC site - 'Australia Votes - 2010 Federal Election Guide'

Antony Green's Election Guide - 'The Green Guide'
Election analyst - discusses seats, swings, pendulum, key seats, analysis.
Lists candidates, retiring MPs and talks about 'how to vote'.
Part of the ABC site. Very helpful.