Email to the Australian Christian Lobby

From: Susie Gallagher <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 1:15 PM
To: Wendy Francis <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Questions re local council voting


Hi Wendy


First of all thank you for taking the time to contact me and seek my position on these issues.  To keep it simple I have answered underneath each of your points:

1. Gold Coast organisations such as Yahweh House provide young pregnant women non-judgmental and caring support to have their babies if that is their desire. If elected would you be supportive of organisations such as this in your Division?

Yes. Without a doubt yes.  There but for the "grace of God go I" or my friends (35 years ago).....or my daughter.....or my daughter's friends......absolutely yes.
 
2. Overtly sexualized advertising in public spaces is negatively affecting our children’s wellbeing. Do you support efforts to bring outdoor advertising into line with existing community standards for children’s viewing?


Yes as a woman and a mum of a young woman but I don't believe this is the purview of council I would support a common sense approach - if advertisers wont do the right thing then I would suggest we step in but this is governed by Ad Standards Australia so we need to work with them to ensure we are all on the same page.


3. Domestic violence is a growing problem and is set to become exponentially worse in the wake of COVID-19. Would you endorse more support for local community initiatives aimed at preventing domestic violence on the Gold Coast?'


yes  I need more information on what those initiatives are, what they will cost, who will be implementing them, what other funding do they have etc - these need to be inclusive services and cater for all sections of our community irrespective of race or religion or sexual persuasion. 


4. Drag Queen entertainment is a recognized form of adult entertainment. If a decision was to be made whether or not to approve Drag Queen storytime for children in council libraries, how would you vote?


I am of the live and let live ilk.  I grew up watching Dame Edna and I am not confused. I was never confused.  My daughter has special needs. She asked for weeks to go to Drag Queen Bingo, I think it was just the bingo but she would have seen entertainers. Larger than life, very animated entertainers but  she would not have registered their differences. Her mind would not go to what they do in their own homes or bedrooms, her innocence might see her try to look under their wig or their makeup to see if they are real.  The need to discuss the sexual choices of people has never come up and I don't believe children in the library would have really cared who read to them as long as they were in the moment, in character and engaging.  I don't like to see children exploited in any way as political fodder. 
 
 
5. The current town plan makes no allowance for places of worship in the areas of the city where people live. Would you vote to support an amendment to the town plan to correct this?
 
In a Christian country these seems odd.  It may simply be that a material change of use application is all that would be required to create a place of worship as churches these days don't often look like the one I used to go to as a child.  I don't believe councils should be building these or providing the land to do so.  If they are providing the land then the agreement needs to be of a commercial nature and the contribution to the community determined and agreed upon in real terms to stop charlatans from setting up and ripping off communities and using loopholes to get rich without providing any service or support to the community. 




I am happy to discuss any of these questions and my response to them. I am open to hearing views from all members of our society and our community.  I believe we are aligned mostly on these issues but I cannot lie and I see all of us as god's people not just a selected few.  If you have specific ideas for Southport/Division 6, my door will always be open as the elected representative.  


Should things go a different way on 28th March, I will still be a part of our community and working for positive change for those who voices are rarely heard - the elderly, the infirmed, the indigent and the disabled.  Should you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact the undersigned. 


Kind regards,
Susie Gallagher  






 

From: Wendy Francis <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, 20 March 2020 5:58 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Questions re local council voting


Dear Susie
Congratulations on nominating for the Gold Coast City Council. I hope you are keeping well in these very unusual times! I am the Qld Director for the Australian Christian Lobby and we have well over 1,000 supporters in your area who want to make their vote count. ACL supporters are very focused on what is in the best interests of every citizen and particularly our children and so, to assist them in voting, could you please let us know your answers to the following questions -

1. Gold Coast organisations such as Yahweh House provide young pregnant women non-judgmental and caring support to have their babies if that is their desire. If elected would you be supportive of organisations such as this in your Division?
2. Overtly sexualized advertising in public spaces is negatively affecting our children’s wellbeing. Do you support efforts to bring outdoor advertising into line with existing community standards for children’s viewing?
3. Domestic violence is a growing problem and is set to become exponentially worse in the wake of COVID-19. Would you endorse more support for local community initiatives aimed at preventing domestic violence on the Gold Coast?
4. Drag Queen entertainment is a recognized form of adult entertainment. If a decision was to be made whether or not to approve Drag Queen storytime for children in council libraries, how would you vote?
5. The current town plan makes no allowance for places of worship in the areas of the city where people live. Would you vote to support an amendment to the town plan to correct this?

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these important questions for our supporters in what I am sure is a very hectic time for you.
Kind regards, Wendy
 
 


Wendy Francis
State and Territory Director – Qld and NT
Spokesperson for women and children
PO Box 6347, Mitchelton QLD 4053
+61 411 431 141

acl.org.au   |  


/ACLobby

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