After extensive meetings with both major parties Family First has announced their House of Representative preferencing.

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cher...@familyfirst.org.au
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Friday 24th September 2004

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PREFERENCING

- FAMILIES THE WINNERS

Family First commenced due to a concern that societal principles were shifting away from conservative family values and that a whole section of society were not being represented in the political forums. Family First is not about imposing a spiritual agenda upon Australia but simply about representing a section of society that is concerned about family values.

Family First will be preferencing the Nationals in the Queensland seats of Brisbane and Capricornia. Family First will be preferencing the Independent in the seat of Leichardt. We will be preferencing the Liberal Party first in the rest of the nation.

By way of explanation:

* Family First has made this arrangement due to the cross preference deal between ALP and Greens in lower house.

* Lack of ability for ALP candidates to exercise a conscience vote on reasonable range of moral and ethical issues.

* ALP's and Greens history on moving away from conservative family values.

* Coalitions proven track record in remaining centrist in ethical and social values

There have been some Liberal candidates who we have asked to sign a 3 year “a commitment is being sought from a number of candidates where there are some issues to be sorted out before confirming preferences. on certain FF policy platforms that may arise in the Parliament over that 3 year period.

We have had discussions with the Prime Minister in relation to policy issues that affect families. As a result of those discussions, we feel confident that Family First will be able to have significant input into the development of policy affecting families in Australia.

This is a significant day for the families of Australia who now have a party whose singular focus is the promotion and protection of family values. If its good for your family, we'll say YES. If it's bad for your family, we'll say NO. In particular the PM is very receptive to the introduction of family impact statements on submissions made to Cabinet. This means that all legislation will be scrutinised as to its impact upon the wellbeing of Australian families and will operate in a similar fashion to the existing environmental impact statement.

Further family policies will be released in the coming week.

These announcements will be exciting news for Australian families.

Queensland
Mark Badham
Ph 0412 234440

South Australia/NT
Darryn Keneally
Ph 0410 553 111

Tasmania
Lance Bergman
Ph 0409 502 895

Victoria
Steve Fielding
Ph 0425 761 763

New South Wales
Roz Trestrail
Ph 0402 255 773

Western Australia
Peter Greaves
Ph 0412 165 096

http://www.familyfirst.org.au/

Written and authorised by Chris Baker Shop 4, 999 Lower North East Road, Highbury SA 5089 ph: 08 8368 6104