Election Reflection

On Saturday, 2nd July Australians are going to the polls to vote in our federal election. Throughout the weeks leading up to this election we have been subjected to aggressive political campaigns by both major parties and relentless lobbying by many of the minor parties, each vying for our vote. Promises and counter promises, scare campaigns, character attacks and questions about leadership competence are tactics that have been employed by all sides of politics; but to what effect?

This election has been coined as the most significant in a generation with contentious issues like border protection, safe schools and same sex marriage poised to challenge the social landscape in our country.  That's not forgetting critical issues like education, economics and health care!

As a conscientious Australian over the age of 18 I join with approximately 16.5 million other eligible voters to decide which party is best suited to lead our nation for the next four years.  The question of who should get my vote is complicated and has provoked a lot of considered thought, because I want my vote to count.  This is the same sentiment I observe from many others on social media.  However, there are those who don't see the point or don't know what to do given the options.  While I have never sought to influence 'who' anybody should vote for, I offer 'how' I will be voting as a possible framework for those who are struggling to figure out how to use their vote.  

• Do I trust either major party to lead with an absolute majority?
• Which minor party aligns closest with my worldview and values?
• Whose preferences will provide the best balance of power in parliament according to my worldview?
• Whose influence will keep the government accountable to the values I want represented in parliament?

From my perspective, if there is dissatisfaction with both major parties, then the minor parties are not a wasted vote.  At this stage in our history none of them will hold power, but they can exert quite a lot of influence in the way our country is governed.  Minor parties and independents who win a seat in parliament contribute to the total number of seats required to pass any legislation presented by the government.  Although neither major party want to govern in this way, maybe it is necessary until we have a government who will actually lead and not just play politics.  

Which ever way you choose to vote, please don't allow disillusionment to discourage you from believing that you really can make a difference.  Make your vote count!

Friend Of Every Party

Tonight, as Australians ponder the result of this election and the future for our nation under new leadership, I feel the words of Salvation Army founder William Booth in his final speech are apt for such a moment: "I might have tried to improve society by devoting myself to politics. But I saw something better than belonging to any Party - that by being the friend of every Party I was more likely to secure the blessing of the multitude, and the end I had in view."

Christians right across Australia have voiced a variety of political views throughout this election campaign and have expressed deep concern about policies from both major parties that challenge our spiritual and social sensibilities.  Regardless of how we might individually feel about the result of Election 2013, I believe the Church has a prophetic responsibility to embrace the spirit of Booth's political statement in his final speech, and commit ourselves to working alongside every elected member of parliament, despite their political alliance, to advance God's mission for the body of Christ.

Our political preferences need to be subordinate to our spiritual values, social conscience and Scriptural mandate as we engage with the elected political leaders of our nation.  The challenge is ours, as those who are elected and called by God, to build relationships with those who have been elected by the people, so we may be a powerful witness through a godly influence and prophetic voice.

As the People of God, we need to pursue our passion for the LORD with every Party...

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  (Luke 10:27)

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans 12:1-2)

As the People of God, we need to pursue our passion for the LOST with every Party...

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20)

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  (Luke 19:10)

As the People of God, we need to pursue our passion for LIFE with every Party...

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4)                          

"Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." (Isaiah 1:17)

As the People of God, we need to pursue our passion for LEADERSHIP with every Party...

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Parties, Politics or Policies?

Eleven days out from the Australian federal election and both major parties are entangled in a fierce arm wrestle to win our vote for the top job in Canberra.  In a political environment where little separates the contending parties, Rudd and Abbott are flexing their muscles on major issues with policies that are playing for the worst in the people they intend to serve.  Winning debates and winning votes at the risk of losing credibility and basic humanity is leaving Australian voters on the sidelines unsure which party to cheer for and the minor parties with plenty to jeer about.  

So, how does one decide who to vote for?

Do I vote for the party?  Party loyalty seems to be less of a priority for voters with little distinction remaining between the platform of policies of both major parties.

Do I vote for the politician?  Personality based politics is getting tiresome for voters with party leaders constantly engaged in a war of words attacking each others character and credentials.

Do I vote for the policies?  Policies that are more concerned with winning votes than the actual needs of people quickly lose the trust of voters who are impacted by ill-considered policies and broken election promises.

"Election campaigns are dangerous things. They're dangerous for individuals who get caught in the crossfire between political leaders, dangerous for good policy and dangerous for the credibility of politicians. They're also times when policy statements fly so thick and fast we often fail to notice matters that affect us."  Ross Gittens - The Sydney Morning Herald

Growing up in a working class family in the north western suburbs of Melbourne, party loyalty was priority and was as polarized as the rivalry between Ford and Holden.  Moving interstate into a position of leadership in a remote community, the local political leader became more important to me than party politics with my vote being aligned with the person who would best serve the community, regardless of their political party.  Today, with an increased sensitivity towards critical issues that have national and international implications for us as global citizens, I am now more drawn towards value driven policies than party politics or political leaders.  

 "The crackdown on asylum seekers already in Australia has outraged the Greens and refugee advocates, with Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young likening it to an ''arms race on who can be the cruelest.''"

The shift in my voting patterns reflects a growing realisation that my vote really matters and a deep desire for my vote to make a difference!  My transition from a party to political leader to policy driven vote is taking me into unknown territory this election to look beyond the two major political parties to find policies that align with my values.  I find myself giving consideration to minor parties or independents as a protest against my dissatisfaction with current policies and an accountability for future policy making.  What that looks like in the end remains to be seen on election day.

 "Australia has much to offer to the world. We have become one of the most stable and prosperous nations on earth, but with privilege comes responsibility and the way we rise to meet these responsibilities will ultimately determine if we truly are a great nation." Family First Party

As Australian citizens we not only have the privilege to vote but the responsibility to exercise that privilege in a way that transcends party politics and political alliances towards value driven policies that will best serve the people of this nation.  We must each determine our own values and discern a framework around how to come to that decision when casting our vote.  For me, as a Christian wanting to see God's will done on earth as it is in heaven, I am praying the prayer of Solomon when he became king of Israel to guide my vote and to give wisdom to those contesting this election:

"Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"  1 King 3:8-9