Archive for September, 2010


Reconciliation requires action

Filed under: Indigenous, Kevin Rudd, social justice — 1 Comment
September 18, 2010

By Rod Benson

Recently the NSW Parliament moved to follow counterparts in Victoria and Queensland in reforming its Constitution to formally recognise and honour “the Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations,” and “as the traditional custodians and occupants of the land.”

Similarly, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has indicated that she will hold a referendum on whether to recognise Indigenous people in the federal Constitution, after an abortive attempt in 1999.

I welcome these moves as a symbolic turn toward justice after more than two centuries of largely ignoring past wrongs.  Mr Rudd’s National Apology early in 2008 was another sign that Indigenous justice and reconciliation are regarded as more than theoretical niceties by the Australian people.

Yet the danger is that mere words will not be accompanied by courageous and costly and healing actions.  Yes, we should change the NSW and Australian Constitutions.  But that will only be the beginning of a new journey. 

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 19 September 2010.  Image: Andrew Sheargold/Getty Images,

13 Feb 2008.
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Tougher alcohol restrictions?

Filed under: alcohol, NSW politics — Leave a comment
September 18, 2010

By Rod Benson

A new study by researchers at the University of Newcastle and the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics has found that the winding back of pub closing times in central Newcastle has reduced the night-time assault rate by 37 per cent.

This is great news for the community, and has led to calls for tougher alcohol restrictions across the state – calls supported by the NSW Council of Churches, emergency services workers, and others.

But of course, the hotel industry has reacted, arguing that the Newcastle trial has led to business failure, increased unemployment, and higher use of drugs other than alcohol.

What works in Newcastle will not necessarily deliver the same results in Kings Cross or Moree, but when 90 per cent of serious assaults treated at John Hunter Hospital are alcohol-related, and a curfew results in a 37 per cent drop in assaults, expanding the trial to other locations must be considered.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 19 September 2010.  Image: http://bit.ly/b3Ppax

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What’s wrong with burning holy books?

Filed under: censorship, Islam, religious freedom — Leave a comment
September 10, 2010

By Rod Benson

The international outcry over Florida pastor Terry Jones’ decision to burn copies of the Koran on the ninth anniversary of 9/11, to “send a message to al-Qaeda,” raises an interesting ethical question: How can those who defend the right to symbolically burn the US flag (or any national flag) logically object to the symbolic burning of the Muslim holy book?

Well, burning a flag is a political act, an expression of rebellion against an allegedly tyrannical government; whereas burning a holy book expresses contempt for the book’s ideas, and the religion it gives shape to, and the people who follow that religion.  Burning a flag is symbolism; burning a book is censorship.  Are there other more valid means to get the point across?  What are the likely outcomes, and unintended consequences? 

Burning a Koran is analogous to spiritual terrorism.  We should do all we can, as far as it depends on us, to live at peace with everyone.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 12 September 2010.  Image: Harry Potter book burning, 30 Dec 2000 (http://bit.ly/bCTwKL).

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Koran burning fuels protests

Filed under: censorship, Islam, religious freedom — Leave a comment
September 10, 2010

By Rod Benson

Yesterday was the 11th of September, and in the United States, as I speak, it is still the ninth anniversary of those tragic events of 9/11 in New York and Washington DC that changed our world.  To mark the event, the pastor of a small church in Florida has announced that he would set fire to copies of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, to – as he put it – “send a message to al-Qaeda.”

That turned him into an international pariah, fuelling protests in Muslim nations, igniting a media frenzy, and sparking strong statements from political, military and religious leaders.  Even the Reverend Fred Nile expressed his “total opposition and condemnation” of what he saw as “a most dangerous and provocative act” which had “no place in Christianity and none in our society.”

The Florida pastor would do well to consider the words of Jesus, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 12 September 2010.  Image: http://bit.ly/aiPX3h

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Gay couples win right to adopt in NSW

Filed under: children, same-sex marriage, social justice — Leave a comment
September 10, 2010

By Rod Benson

On Thursday a bill giving same-sex couples in NSW the right to apply to adopt children passed its final hurdle in Parliament.  Last week the bill passed the Lower House, and has now passed the Upper House with a substantial 22-15 majority, with final amendments passed quickly in the Lower House on Thursday afternoon.

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby claimed that Parliament had “acted in the best interests of children,” a claim rejected by Upper House member the Reverend Fred Nile, who said the passing of the bill destroyed the right of every child to have a mother and a father.

The issue divides the community and the churches.  Child welfare agencies the Benevolent Society and UnitingCare Burnside supported the bill, while Anglicare and CatholicCare opposed it.

We now wait to see what longterm effects this social experiment will have on children whose natural parents are unable to care for them.

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 12 September 2010.  Image: http://bit.ly/b3FK4c

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