Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 15 November 2009
9.00 am – Joe Hockey’s credo speech
Christians in politics is nothing new. For many politicians, a vague faith strongly held, or a strong faith vaguely held, is par for the course. Robert Menzies wore his faith on his shirt sleeves. John Howard and Kevin Rudd, in different ways, have drawn on their faith in politics.
Now shadow treasurer Joe Hockey has presented a credo speech, “In defence of God,” paying homage to his Jesuit education, and urging believers and non-believers alike to learn from those inspired by religious faith.
Mr Hockey sees the Bible’s “true message” as a nod to values such as compassion, justice, equality, and respect for others.
He takes a dim view of those who interpret their scriptures literally, which begs the question: on what foundation do his values rest? On political philosophy? On the mood of the moment?
Mr Hockey appears to articulate a vague faith strongly held – which will do little to impress the faithful. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com
12.00 pm – High Court decision on alcohol
A unanimous decision handed down by the High Court this week will discourage citizens from acting to restrain intoxicated persons from harming others, and help the hotel industry avoid responsibility for alcohol-related harm.
The judgment enshrines the right of people to excessive intoxication, noting that a hotelier must not “[impair] the autonomy” of patrons.
The Court also ruled that only police had a right to restrain an intoxicated person from driving, and that a hotelier who refused to return car keys to an intoxicated patron, or somehow restrained him, would be guilty of “false imprisonment.”
This is an affront to common sense. Where is the greater good? Especially in a country where one in three road deaths is alcohol-related.
The law needs to change. It is time to recognise a hotelier’s duty of care not only to patrons but to the public. It is time to seriously consider the fitting of ignition interlocking devices on all vehicles. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com
5.00 pm – Swap till you drop
Yesterday, at Stamford Hall in Baulkham Hills, a strange ritual played out as local residents arrived, with an assortment of second-hand clothes and accessories, children’s toys, books, CDs and DVDs, and exchanged them for tokens which they used to “purchase” other items.
It was all part of the “Big Aussie Swap,” organised by Planet Ark for National Recycling Week, which ends tonight.
There was a “Swap” in Martin Place on Tuesday, and right across Sydney and beyond, through the week. Swap till you drop strikes a blow for ecology, and thrift. It helps to reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions, and it reduces the pull of consumerism.
The more we get involved in such positive, low-tech, low-key community action, the better our communities, and our lifestyles. We can all do more to reduce what we consume, reuse what we already have, and recycle as much as we can. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com
