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Christian Democratic Party (Australia)

The Christian Democratic Party (CDP) was a Christian democratic political party in Australia, founded in 1977, under the name Call to Australia Party, by a group of Christian ministers in New South Wales. One of the co-founders, Fred Nile, a Congregational Church minister, ran as their upper house candidate in the NSW State election. The Christian Democratic Party's platform espoused social conservatism. It changed its name in 1998.

Christian Democratic Party
LeaderFred Nile
Federal PresidentFred Nile
Christian Youth PresidentSamraat Joshua Grewal
Founded1977 (1977)
Dissolved29 March 2022
Succeeded byRevive Australia
Youth wingChristian Youth[1]
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing
ReligionChristianity
Colours  Orange (official)
  Purple (customary)
House of Representatives
1 / 148
(1998)
NSW Legislative Council
2 / 42
(2011−2019)
Website
(archived)

The party was primarily active in New South Wales and, after the 1981 NSW state election, had at least one member in that state's Legislative Council, often holding or sharing the balance of power. The Christian Democrats never succeeded in having a member elected to federal parliament, although John Bradford briefly sat with the party in the House of Representatives after defecting from the Liberal Party before the 1998 federal election.

In 2011, the Victorian and Western Australian branches of the CDP voted to form a new party, leading to the creation of the Australian Christians in those states.[3] In June 2021, it was reported that the Christian Democratic Party had gone into receivership.[4] On 17 March 2022, the federal branch of the party was deregistered by the AEC because it did not meet membership number requirements.[5] On 29 March 2022, the Supreme Court of NSW dissolved the party.[6][7]

History edit

Formation edit

Originally established as the "Call to Australia Party" in 1977, the CDP was founded by a group of Christian ministers, and Fred Nile ran as their candidate.[8] These groups had sought to mobilise conservative and evangelical Protestants as an electoral force. Nile was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1981 and the party managed to get a candidate elected at every subsequent New South Wales election until the 2019 state election.[9]

An earlier party called the 'Christian Democrat Party' contested the 1980 federal election in the seat of Northern Territory and the Senate.[10]

Retirement of Elaine Nile and election of Gordon Moyes edit

In August 2000, it was announced that Elaine Nile would retire due to ill health and be replaced by John Bradford, a former Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from Queensland who had defected to the CDP before being defeated at the 1998 Federal election.[11] However, this fell through due to disagreements between Fred and Elaine Nile and Bradford. Elaine Nile served until 2002, at which time she was replaced by Gordon Moyes of Sydney's Wesley Central Mission. Moyes was elected in his own right at the 2003 NSW election.[12]

In 2004, Moyes suggested Nile make a bid for a Senate seat at the 2004 federal election. In that election, Nile achieved 2.6% of the primary vote, but narrowly missed attaining a seat. Another rival conservative party, Family First, won a seat in Victoria with 1.9% and a better preference deal. With Nile's return to the New South Wales Legislative Council, Moyes began to question the leadership of his former party leader.[verification needed]

During the 2007 New South Wales state election, the CDP called for a moratorium on Muslim immigration to Australia, seeking to replace them with "persecuted Christians from the Middle East". Nile said the moratorium should be in place to allow a study of the effects of Muslim migration. "There has been no serious study of the potential effects upon Australia of more than 300,000 Muslims who are already here," he said. "Australians deserve a breathing space so the situation can be carefully assessed before Islamic immigration can be allowed to resume. In the meantime, Australia should extend a welcoming hand to many thousands of persecuted Christians who are presently displaced or at risk in the Middle East."[13] Nile and another CDP candidate Allan Lotfizadeh reported receiving death threats on account of this announcement.[14]

Fred Nile was re-elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council on 24 March 2007, achieving a vote of 4.4%, the highest for the CDP since 1988.

Battle between Nile and Moyes edit

In 2007, the President of the Legislative Council, Meredith Anne Burgmann, retired from public service[15] and the Council sought a replacement. Tensions flared when both Moyes and Nile applied for the position. Nile subsequently withdrew his application and nominated Moyes at Moyes' behest.[citation needed] Peter Primrose was confirmed President on 8 March 2007, Moyes having received only two votes, Nile's and his own.[16] After Nile was made Assistant Deputy President on 28 June 2007 and then Assistant President 28 November 2007, Moyes began to publicly attack Nile.[citation needed]

Moyes argued that Nile's anti-homosexual, anti-abortion and anti-Muslim focus should be altered and that greater emphasis be placed on environmental issues.[citation needed] In contrast to Nile, Moyes inferred that the burden of responsibility for Islamic terrorism lay at the feet of western civilisation, the "Crusades" and the "excesses of the 'war on terrors'.[17]

Moyes (then aged 70 years) claimed Nile (then aged 75 years) was too old and was too "committed to gaining money and status, and [...attacked...] any who disagree[d] with himself". According to Moyes, Nile was a pathetic figure who has never laughed, has no friends, is a workaholic, has no interests or hobbies, eats fast-food meals and when in Sydney attending Parliament, spends every night alone in a cheap motel in western Sydney.[18]

In February 2009, Nile wrote in his monthly newsletter that he regretted allowing Moyes to take his wife's place upon her retirement "because of his disloyalty and divisive actions and his frequent support of the Greens".[19] Moyes stated that the Greens were "far more Christian".[20][21]

Moyes also attacked the Christian Democratic Party itself, stating that the party was a cult,[22] a hypocritical, anti-Christian, anti-democratic dictatorship that adhered to the values of extremist fundamentalism.[23] Moyes claimed that the "end was nigh" for the party as there was a conspiracy to disband the party and form a new conservative Christian political party.[24] Moyes attempted to draw Nile's parliamentary staff into the conflict by making claims that they had intimidated and bullied his own.[25] Moyes ignored repeated warnings from the CDP management committee, claiming that they were dysfunctional:[23] calling the committee "sad, mad, senile and aggressively ambitious."[26] As a result, Moyes was expelled from the Christian Democratic Party in March 2009 by secret ballot of its members.[27][28] Moyes became an independent for several months before joining the Family First Party in 2009. Moyes failed in his attempt to be re-elected at the 2011 state election.

2019 Leadership challenges edit

On the third of June 2019, Samraat Joshua Grewal announced that he had seized control of the Christian Democratic Party and removed the Party's Board following a vote of no confidence at a Party State Council which had passed unanimously after half the membership vacated the meeting. This included the Party's leader Rev Fred Nile, who is a longtime member of the New South Wales Parliament.[29] This was allegedly done in an attempt to reform the Party.[30][non-primary source needed][31] Subsequently, it was announced that he had established a Directional Committee, leaving the party with two competing Board of Directors[32] to investigate internal party breaches of Electoral Commission regulations.[33] In the following weeks, there were allegations made that the Party's State President Ross Clifford had been bullying party members and staff of Morling Theological College of which he is Principal.[34][35]

In the following weeks, it was confirmed that the Party had been involved in high level breaches of Government Regulations. The Party's State Director Craig Hall said that 'The Party needed to change if it was to survive,' and that the Party's deficient Constitution was being changed by the orders of Government Regulators.[36] By August, it was announced that the Party would have a re-vote of the motion. At this time a former State Director of the Party, Greg Bondar commented that the re-vote would give the membership an opportunity to set a new direction for the Party and its leaders. Eternity News reported that the coup by Samraat was partially instigated by succession issues, such as when Fred Nile allegedly reneged on a promise to hand over his parliamentary seat to Ross Clifford, Principal of the Baptist Morling College, resulting in the party losing 80 branches in a year, including four interstate organisations.[37]

By the end of August 2019, the party had concluded its re-vote of the no-confidence motion which was defeated. Criticisms were made about the secret ballot requiring names to be written on them. In addition, claims were made that the Party Executive moved a motion to prevent Samraat from addressing the membership. In November 2019, it was announced that the Party President Ross Clifford had resigned his position, confirming the mismanagement claims made by Samraat and other party members.[35]

In September 2020, the party's treasurer Charles Knox filed a lawsuit against Fred Nile and his wife Silvana Nero-Nile for allegedly claiming $100,000 of party funds for their own use.[38]

Retirement of Fred Nile edit

On 12 April 2021 Fred Nile announced that he would be retiring from parliament in November, and named Lyle Shelton as a candidate to replace his seat in the Legislative Council.[39] Nile withdrew his endorsement of Shelton in September 2021 due to "irreconcilable differences" between the two, and announced that he would remain in parliament until 2023 to complete his parliamentary term.[40]

Schism and Dissolution of CDP edit

However, following several years of animosity between Fred Nile and members of the Christian Democratic Party board of management, the party went into receivership in April 2021, in to an allegedly parlous financial condition. In March 2022, Fred Nile abandoned the Christian Democratic Party and sat in the New South Wales Legislative Council as the MLC for the Seniors United Party of Australia. The party was subsequently taken off the Australian federal register of political parties due to having insufficient membership. [41] [42]

Policies edit

The Christian Democratic Party exists to support Christian representation in every level of government – federal, state and local – and to promote "ethical values based on...Christian values".[43][44]

The party is supportive of family values (including traditional marriage), freedom of speech, protective of children and their rights including those of unborn children, and policies that are protective of established Australian values and systems, inclusive of a requirement that immigrants to Australia demonstrate a desire to learn English.[43][45][46] They are opposed to both abortion[47] and euthanasia[46] as well as pornography, drug decriminalisation and sharia law.[43][45][48][49]

Law and order edit

The CDP supports rehabilitation of criminals when possible. They seek "a wisely governed penal system that seeks to restore convicted persons where possible to good contributors to society."[50]

Economy and housing edit

CDP's policy on the economy is to ensure "a healthy environment for business to start and grow". They support an adequately "remunerated job" to allow for "a balance between work and non-work times" and have an emphasis on "the financial well-being of each person in [the] community".[50] In 2015, Nile supported the Liberal government's privatisation of electricity infrastructure, such as poles and wires.[51][52]

Education and health edit

The Christian Democratic Party believe that parental input in a child's education plus writing, reading and arithmetic are the basis of a good education system. They also support Special Religious Education (SRE). CDP believes that Health Care "should be available, accessible and affordable".[50]

Environment and social security edit

According to their 2018 policies, the CDP supports a balanced approach to both environment and social security. They seek a "good and sustainable use of the earth" and social security for "those who genuinely need it".[50]

Employment, immigration, and infrastructure edit

The CDP is for local industry and local jobs and "proactively [work] to advocate for jobs growth".[50] Their policy on immigration reads: "Each nation needs to manage its immigration so that there is a balance of visitors and immigrants that will contribute positively to the nation. In the last several years we have seen a rise in immigration that has outpaced infrastructure and potentially affecting housing affordability, health affordability, and employment declines, and a strain on the social security system resulting in community disquiet towards some new immigrants. This has the potential to change the character of the Australian society. Immigration needs to be carefully managed, taken on the advice of demographic experts and not growth economics."[50] The Christian Democrats also support strong infrastructure programs for roads, bridges, hospitals, airports, waterways and power supplies. They state that these should be "steady and affordable" and planned for "future generations", not simply as short-term goals.[50]

Controversies edit

The party and a candidate, Peter Madden, came under intense opposition from their policies and political campaign actions by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL).[53] Their campaign to have the Sydney Mardi Gras banned because of, as he puts it, "the lifestyle and perversion that it promotes" saw opposition from the RSL as one of their campaign YouTube videos, which featured Madden, labelled a "battle cry", calls upon "10,000 warriors" to rally against the event and shows Madden in front of the Anzac War Memorial in Hyde Park inviting viewers to become "lions" and join him.[53] The NSW RSL president, Don Rowe, said that returned servicemen and women and the public as a whole find it "totally offensive" that anyone would use the image of the War Memorial to make a political statement.[53] Don Rowe said to The Sydney Morning Herald, "I am neither a supporter nor a detractor of the Mardi Gras and the RSL has no official position on it, but we totally disapprove of the use of the War Memorial in a politicised way. It is a sacred site and symbolises those Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and for our freedoms … not for someone trying to make a political stand."

Peter Madden was also criticised by the LGBT community when he called for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to be "moved off the streets".’[54] and stated in an interview with Glenn Wheeler and Anthony Venn-Brown on the Sydney radio station 2GB[55] that one of the main objectives of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was "recruitment".[56]

Electoral outcomes edit

The CDP has built a small but stable electoral base among Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestants, as well as religious minorities, in New South Wales,[57] particularly in the "Bible Belt" suburbs of north-western Sydney and in some country areas, but the CDP has only achieved modest results in its attempts to expand its electoral base further. The party has comparable support in Western Australia (which broke away to form the Australian Christians party) but has lacked similar representation in its state parliament because its seats have higher election quotas.[citation needed]

The Christian Democratic Party sees the policies of the major parties as an attack on their traditional views. Gordon Moyes (no longer a member of the party) explained, "Our Christian heritage is under attack from pagan and secularist forces, militant Islamic groups, a neo communism under a Green guise and a strident homosexual lobby that has successfully gained the support of the Labor Party, Australian Democrats and the Greens, and many from the left of the Liberal Party."[citation needed]

For the 1983 federal election, the CDP formed an alliance with the Victoria-based Democratic Labor Party. They did not win any seats and contested subsequent elections separately.[citation needed]

The Christian Democratic Party generally had two (sometimes three) sitting members in the New South Wales Legislative Council at any one time. Usually, these two individuals have been Nile and one other member. At the 1984 New South Wales state election Nile was joined by former Liberal politician Jim Cameron. Cameron retired shortly after being elected, due to serious health problems, and was replaced by Marie Bignold. Nile's wife, Elaine Nile, joined her husband and Bignold at the Legislative Council at the 1988 New South Wales state election. Bignold subsequently had a falling out with Fred and Elaine Nile over Bignold's opposition to the Liberal Party stance on industrial relations; a policy position supported by the Niles.[citation needed] The restructuring of the Legislative Council in 1991 meant that Bignold's seat was abolished and she was forced to an early election; but she failed in her bid for re-election.

The party was involved in Glenn Druery's Minor Party Alliance.[58][59]

Paul Green was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council at the 2011 state election, aged 45 years at the time of this election.[60] He failed to be re-elected in the 2019 election.[61] This was the first NSW Legislative Council election that the party failed to get any candidates elected since its founding.

Elected representatives edit

Federal edit

House of Representatives edit

New South Wales edit

Legislative Council edit

Penrith City Council edit

  • Maurice Girotto (2016)

Shoalhaven City Council edit

Uralla Shire Council edit

  • Isabel Strutt (2006–2012)

Electoral performance edit

Senate edit

Election Votes % Δ% Seats won Rank
1990 136,522 1.37 −0.09
0 / 76
  5th
1993 108,938 1.02 −0.35
0 / 76
  5th
1996 117,274 1.08 +0.06
0 / 76
  6th
1998 122,516 1.09 +0.01
0 / 76
  6th
2001 129,966 1.12 +0.03
0 / 76
  6th
2004 140,674 1.18 +0.06
0 / 76
  7th
2007 118,614 0.94 −0.24
0 / 76
  7th
2010 127,894 1.01 +0.07
0 / 76
  9th
2013 72,544 0.54 −0.47
0 / 76
  15th
2016 162,155 1.17 +0.63
0 / 76
  10th
2019 94,301 0.65 −0.52
0 / 76
  13th

New South Wales edit

Legislative Council
Election year # of
overall votes
% of
overall vote
# of
seats won
# of
overall seats
+/– Notes
1981 248,425 9.11%
1 / 15
1 / 44
  1
1984 175,068 6.09%
1 / 15
2 / 45
  1
1988 173,569 5.74%
1 / 15
3 / 45
  1
1991 114,648 3.58%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
1995 101,556 3.01%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
1999 112,699 3.17%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
2003 112,865 3.03%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
2007 168,545 4.42%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
2011 127,233 3.12%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
2015 126,305 2.93%
1 / 21
2 / 42
 
2019 101,328 2.28%
0 / 21
1 / 42
  1

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ . Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Mike Baird, accidental premier". 30 January 2015. The group also has links to the Christian Right, particularly the Christian Democratic Party of Reverend Fred Nile
  3. ^ . Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  4. ^ Sandeman, John (10 June 2021). "Breaking News: Christian Democratic Party in receivership". Eternity News. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  5. ^ Osborne, Paul. "Fred Nile party taken off federal register". 7news. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Fred Nile says the Christian Democratic Party is officially dead - Eternity News". www.eternitynews.com.au. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  7. ^ "The future of Christians in Politics - Christ in Government (Fred Nile Alliance)". Christian Democratic Party. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  8. ^ "About ⋆ Christian Democratic Party". Christian Democratic Party. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  9. ^ "About ⋆ Christian Democratic Party". Christian Democratic Party. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Christian Democrat Party". UWA.
  11. ^ . The Christian Democratic Party (Press release). 29 August 2000. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  12. ^ Clune, David (June 2001). "2000 Ad". Australian Journal of Politics and History. University of Queensland Press. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  13. ^ . The Australian. 12 March 2007. Archived from the original on 25 May 2007.
  14. ^ . The Australian. 13 March 2007. Archived from the original on 16 March 2007.
  15. ^ . Parliament of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  16. ^ . Parliament of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  17. ^ . Gordon Moyes. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  18. ^ Carly, Lisa (7 September 2008). "Christian Soldiers at War". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  19. ^ "God's MPs in row". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 3 February 2009. p. 8.
  20. ^ "'Anti-Muslim, anti-gay': Party in holy war of words". ABC News. Australia. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  21. ^ Feneley, Rick (4 February 2009). "Nile calls on the power of prayer to remove a political thorn in his side". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  22. ^ . Gordon Moyes. 20 April 2009. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  23. ^ a b . Gordon Moyes. 20 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 May 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  24. ^ . Gordon Moyes. 8 January 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  25. ^ . Parliament of New South Wales. 23 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  26. ^ . Gordon Moyes. 17 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  27. ^ Sheppard, Elwyn (18 March 2009). (PDF). The Family World News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  28. ^ Mitchell, Alex (20 April 2009). "Nile expells [sic] Flash but he won't be silenced". Crikey. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  29. ^ "Christian Democrats in-fighting sees moves to oust Fred Nile". OUTInPerth – LGBTIQ News and Culture. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  30. ^ Samraat Joshua Grewal is behind a rebel charge, retrieved 7 November 2019
  31. ^ "This Doco About A Teen Taking on Fred Nile Is The Most Exciting Political Drama of the Year". Junkee. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  32. ^ Kylar Loussikian; Samantha Hutchinson (3 June 2019). "Busy Frydenberg sets the banks straight". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  33. ^ Smith, Alexandra (5 June 2019). "The teenage 'revolution' in Fred Nile's party". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  34. ^ "Meet the 18-year-old challenging one of the only Christian parties left in Aus politics". The Feed. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  35. ^ a b Smith, Alexandra (5 November 2019). "'He's the great survivor': Nile stares down second attempt to oust him". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  36. ^ Lim, Anne (16 July 2019). "Christian Democrats - regrets, they have a few". www.eternitynews.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  37. ^ Sandeman, John (9 August 2019). "CDP crisis meeting for Fred Nile's party". www.eternitynews.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  38. ^ Cormack, Lucy (30 September 2020). "Fred Nile's political party faces axe over lack of members". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  39. ^ Rabe, Tom (11 April 2021). "Reverend Fred Nile to quit NSW politics, names Lyle Shelton as successor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  40. ^ Sandeman, John (10 September 2021). "Christian Democrat Fred Nile Disendorses Lyle Shelton". Eternity News. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  41. ^ Sandeman, John. "Breaking News: Christian Democratic Party in Receivership: Eternity News". [dead link]
  42. ^ Osborne, Paul (21 March 2022). "Fred Nile party taken off federal register". 7News.
  43. ^ a b c "Welcome to The Christian Democratic Party". The Christian Democratic Party. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  44. ^ "About ⋆ Christian Democratic Party". Christian Democratic Party. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  45. ^ a b . The Christian Democratic Party. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  46. ^ a b "Principles of the CDP ⋆ Christian Democratic Party". Christian Democratic Party. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  47. ^ James Elton-Pym (23 May 2013). "Warning that Australian Christians party is a 'rebranded' Christian Democratic Party for Federal Election". News.com.au.
  48. ^ . Federal Policies. The Christian Democratic Party. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  49. ^ . Federal Policies. The Christian Democratic Party. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g . 8 May 2018. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  51. ^ Kozaki, Danuta (30 March 2015). "NSW Election 2015: Public float considered for NSW poles and wires privatisation, Baird". ABC News. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  52. ^ "NSW Premier Mike Baird's power sale passes Christian Democratic MP Fred Nile roadblock". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  53. ^ a b c "Pulpit choice gives offence". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  54. ^ "Ad puts a face to gay marriage issue". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  55. ^ . 2GB. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011.
  56. ^ . 26 February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  57. ^ "Fred Nile: A Continuing life of Achievement". Family World News. 27 (9): 1. 2019. ISSN 1447-1140.
  58. ^ Bormann, Trevor (5 September 2013). "Bitter dispute erupts over Senate preferences in Queensland". ABC News. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  59. ^ "Alliance of micro parties boosts odds for likes of One Nation or Shooters and Fishers gaining Senate spot through preferences". The Daily Telegraph. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  60. ^ "Mr Paul Green (1966– )". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  61. ^ Stewart, Selby; Coleman, Oscar (15 April 2019). "Leyonhjelm fails in NSW Upper House bid, Animal Justice Party claims seat". Retrieved 15 April 2019.

Bibliography edit

External links edit

  • (archived)

christian, democratic, party, australia, christian, democratic, party, christian, democratic, political, party, australia, founded, 1977, under, name, call, australia, party, group, christian, ministers, south, wales, founders, fred, nile, congregational, chur. The Christian Democratic Party CDP was a Christian democratic political party in Australia founded in 1977 under the name Call to Australia Party by a group of Christian ministers in New South Wales One of the co founders Fred Nile a Congregational Church minister ran as their upper house candidate in the NSW State election The Christian Democratic Party s platform espoused social conservatism It changed its name in 1998 Christian Democratic PartyLeaderFred NileFederal PresidentFred NileChristian Youth PresidentSamraat Joshua GrewalFounded1977 1977 Dissolved29 March 2022Succeeded byRevive AustraliaYouth wingChristian Youth 1 IdeologyChristian democracyConservatism Australian Christian right 2 Political positionRight wingReligionChristianityColours Orange official Purple customary House of Representatives1 148 1998 NSW Legislative Council2 42 2011 2019 WebsiteChristian Democratic Party archived Politics of AustraliaPolitical partiesElections The party was primarily active in New South Wales and after the 1981 NSW state election had at least one member in that state s Legislative Council often holding or sharing the balance of power The Christian Democrats never succeeded in having a member elected to federal parliament although John Bradford briefly sat with the party in the House of Representatives after defecting from the Liberal Party before the 1998 federal election In 2011 the Victorian and Western Australian branches of the CDP voted to form a new party leading to the creation of the Australian Christians in those states 3 In June 2021 it was reported that the Christian Democratic Party had gone into receivership 4 On 17 March 2022 the federal branch of the party was deregistered by the AEC because it did not meet membership number requirements 5 On 29 March 2022 the Supreme Court of NSW dissolved the party 6 7 Contents 1 History 1 1 Formation 1 2 Retirement of Elaine Nile and election of Gordon Moyes 1 3 Battle between Nile and Moyes 1 4 2019 Leadership challenges 1 5 Retirement of Fred Nile 2 Schism and Dissolution of CDP 3 Policies 3 1 Law and order 3 2 Economy and housing 3 3 Education and health 3 4 Environment and social security 3 5 Employment immigration and infrastructure 4 Controversies 5 Electoral outcomes 6 Elected representatives 6 1 Federal 6 1 1 House of Representatives 6 2 New South Wales 6 2 1 Legislative Council 6 2 2 Penrith City Council 6 2 3 Shoalhaven City Council 6 2 4 Uralla Shire Council 7 Electoral performance 7 1 Senate 7 2 New South Wales 8 See also 9 References 10 Bibliography 11 External linksHistory editFormation edit Originally established as the Call to Australia Party in 1977 the CDP was founded by a group of Christian ministers and Fred Nile ran as their candidate 8 These groups had sought to mobilise conservative and evangelical Protestants as an electoral force Nile was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1981 and the party managed to get a candidate elected at every subsequent New South Wales election until the 2019 state election 9 An earlier party called the Christian Democrat Party contested the 1980 federal election in the seat of Northern Territory and the Senate 10 Retirement of Elaine Nile and election of Gordon Moyes edit In August 2000 it was announced that Elaine Nile would retire due to ill health and be replaced by John Bradford a former Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from Queensland who had defected to the CDP before being defeated at the 1998 Federal election 11 However this fell through due to disagreements between Fred and Elaine Nile and Bradford Elaine Nile served until 2002 at which time she was replaced by Gordon Moyes of Sydney s Wesley Central Mission Moyes was elected in his own right at the 2003 NSW election 12 In 2004 Moyes suggested Nile make a bid for a Senate seat at the 2004 federal election In that election Nile achieved 2 6 of the primary vote but narrowly missed attaining a seat Another rival conservative party Family First won a seat in Victoria with 1 9 and a better preference deal With Nile s return to the New South Wales Legislative Council Moyes began to question the leadership of his former party leader verification needed During the 2007 New South Wales state election the CDP called for a moratorium on Muslim immigration to Australia seeking to replace them with persecuted Christians from the Middle East Nile said the moratorium should be in place to allow a study of the effects of Muslim migration There has been no serious study of the potential effects upon Australia of more than 300 000 Muslims who are already here he said Australians deserve a breathing space so the situation can be carefully assessed before Islamic immigration can be allowed to resume In the meantime Australia should extend a welcoming hand to many thousands of persecuted Christians who are presently displaced or at risk in the Middle East 13 Nile and another CDP candidate Allan Lotfizadeh reported receiving death threats on account of this announcement 14 Fred Nile was re elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council on 24 March 2007 achieving a vote of 4 4 the highest for the CDP since 1988 Battle between Nile and Moyes edit In 2007 the President of the Legislative Council Meredith Anne Burgmann retired from public service 15 and the Council sought a replacement Tensions flared when both Moyes and Nile applied for the position Nile subsequently withdrew his application and nominated Moyes at Moyes behest citation needed Peter Primrose was confirmed President on 8 March 2007 Moyes having received only two votes Nile s and his own 16 After Nile was made Assistant Deputy President on 28 June 2007 and then Assistant President 28 November 2007 Moyes began to publicly attack Nile citation needed Moyes argued that Nile s anti homosexual anti abortion and anti Muslim focus should be altered and that greater emphasis be placed on environmental issues citation needed In contrast to Nile Moyes inferred that the burden of responsibility for Islamic terrorism lay at the feet of western civilisation the Crusades and the excesses of the war on terrors 17 Moyes then aged 70 years claimed Nile then aged 75 years was too old and was too committed to gaining money and status and attacked any who disagree d with himself According to Moyes Nile was a pathetic figure who has never laughed has no friends is a workaholic has no interests or hobbies eats fast food meals and when in Sydney attending Parliament spends every night alone in a cheap motel in western Sydney 18 In February 2009 Nile wrote in his monthly newsletter that he regretted allowing Moyes to take his wife s place upon her retirement because of his disloyalty and divisive actions and his frequent support of the Greens 19 Moyes stated that the Greens were far more Christian 20 21 Moyes also attacked the Christian Democratic Party itself stating that the party was a cult 22 a hypocritical anti Christian anti democratic dictatorship that adhered to the values of extremist fundamentalism 23 Moyes claimed that the end was nigh for the party as there was a conspiracy to disband the party and form a new conservative Christian political party 24 Moyes attempted to draw Nile s parliamentary staff into the conflict by making claims that they had intimidated and bullied his own 25 Moyes ignored repeated warnings from the CDP management committee claiming that they were dysfunctional 23 calling the committee sad mad senile and aggressively ambitious 26 As a result Moyes was expelled from the Christian Democratic Party in March 2009 by secret ballot of its members 27 28 Moyes became an independent for several months before joining the Family First Party in 2009 Moyes failed in his attempt to be re elected at the 2011 state election 2019 Leadership challenges edit On the third of June 2019 Samraat Joshua Grewal announced that he had seized control of the Christian Democratic Party and removed the Party s Board following a vote of no confidence at a Party State Council which had passed unanimously after half the membership vacated the meeting This included the Party s leader Rev Fred Nile who is a longtime member of the New South Wales Parliament 29 This was allegedly done in an attempt to reform the Party 30 non primary source needed 31 Subsequently it was announced that he had established a Directional Committee leaving the party with two competing Board of Directors 32 to investigate internal party breaches of Electoral Commission regulations 33 In the following weeks there were allegations made that the Party s State President Ross Clifford had been bullying party members and staff of Morling Theological College of which he is Principal 34 35 In the following weeks it was confirmed that the Party had been involved in high level breaches of Government Regulations The Party s State Director Craig Hall said that The Party needed to change if it was to survive and that the Party s deficient Constitution was being changed by the orders of Government Regulators 36 By August it was announced that the Party would have a re vote of the motion At this time a former State Director of the Party Greg Bondar commented that the re vote would give the membership an opportunity to set a new direction for the Party and its leaders Eternity News reported that the coup by Samraat was partially instigated by succession issues such as when Fred Nile allegedly reneged on a promise to hand over his parliamentary seat to Ross Clifford Principal of the Baptist Morling College resulting in the party losing 80 branches in a year including four interstate organisations 37 By the end of August 2019 the party had concluded its re vote of the no confidence motion which was defeated Criticisms were made about the secret ballot requiring names to be written on them In addition claims were made that the Party Executive moved a motion to prevent Samraat from addressing the membership In November 2019 it was announced that the Party President Ross Clifford had resigned his position confirming the mismanagement claims made by Samraat and other party members 35 In September 2020 the party s treasurer Charles Knox filed a lawsuit against Fred Nile and his wife Silvana Nero Nile for allegedly claiming 100 000 of party funds for their own use 38 Retirement of Fred Nile edit On 12 April 2021 Fred Nile announced that he would be retiring from parliament in November and named Lyle Shelton as a candidate to replace his seat in the Legislative Council 39 Nile withdrew his endorsement of Shelton in September 2021 due to irreconcilable differences between the two and announced that he would remain in parliament until 2023 to complete his parliamentary term 40 Schism and Dissolution of CDP editHowever following several years of animosity between Fred Nile and members of the Christian Democratic Party board of management the party went into receivership in April 2021 in to an allegedly parlous financial condition In March 2022 Fred Nile abandoned the Christian Democratic Party and sat in the New South Wales Legislative Council as the MLC for the Seniors United Party of Australia The party was subsequently taken off the Australian federal register of political parties due to having insufficient membership 41 42 Policies editThe Christian Democratic Party exists to support Christian representation in every level of government federal state and local and to promote ethical values based on Christian values 43 44 The party is supportive of family values including traditional marriage freedom of speech protective of children and their rights including those of unborn children and policies that are protective of established Australian values and systems inclusive of a requirement that immigrants to Australia demonstrate a desire to learn English 43 45 46 They are opposed to both abortion 47 and euthanasia 46 as well as pornography drug decriminalisation and sharia law 43 45 48 49 Law and order edit The CDP supports rehabilitation of criminals when possible They seek a wisely governed penal system that seeks to restore convicted persons where possible to good contributors to society 50 Economy and housing edit CDP s policy on the economy is to ensure a healthy environment for business to start and grow They support an adequately remunerated job to allow for a balance between work and non work times and have an emphasis on the financial well being of each person in the community 50 In 2015 Nile supported the Liberal government s privatisation of electricity infrastructure such as poles and wires 51 52 Education and health edit The Christian Democratic Party believe that parental input in a child s education plus writing reading and arithmetic are the basis of a good education system They also support Special Religious Education SRE CDP believes that Health Care should be available accessible and affordable 50 Environment and social security edit According to their 2018 policies the CDP supports a balanced approach to both environment and social security They seek a good and sustainable use of the earth and social security for those who genuinely need it 50 Employment immigration and infrastructure edit The CDP is for local industry and local jobs and proactively work to advocate for jobs growth 50 Their policy on immigration reads Each nation needs to manage its immigration so that there is a balance of visitors and immigrants that will contribute positively to the nation In the last several years we have seen a rise in immigration that has outpaced infrastructure and potentially affecting housing affordability health affordability and employment declines and a strain on the social security system resulting in community disquiet towards some new immigrants This has the potential to change the character of the Australian society Immigration needs to be carefully managed taken on the advice of demographic experts and not growth economics 50 The Christian Democrats also support strong infrastructure programs for roads bridges hospitals airports waterways and power supplies They state that these should be steady and affordable and planned for future generations not simply as short term goals 50 Controversies editThe party and a candidate Peter Madden came under intense opposition from their policies and political campaign actions by the Returned and Services League of Australia RSL 53 Their campaign to have the Sydney Mardi Gras banned because of as he puts it the lifestyle and perversion that it promotes saw opposition from the RSL as one of their campaign YouTube videos which featured Madden labelled a battle cry calls upon 10 000 warriors to rally against the event and shows Madden in front of the Anzac War Memorial in Hyde Park inviting viewers to become lions and join him 53 The NSW RSL president Don Rowe said that returned servicemen and women and the public as a whole find it totally offensive that anyone would use the image of the War Memorial to make a political statement 53 Don Rowe said to The Sydney Morning Herald I am neither a supporter nor a detractor of the Mardi Gras and the RSL has no official position on it but we totally disapprove of the use of the War Memorial in a politicised way It is a sacred site and symbolises those Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and for our freedoms not for someone trying to make a political stand Peter Madden was also criticised by the LGBT community when he called for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to be moved off the streets 54 and stated in an interview with Glenn Wheeler and Anthony Venn Brown on the Sydney radio station 2GB 55 that one of the main objectives of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was recruitment 56 Electoral outcomes editThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section Unsourced material may be challenged and removed October 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message The CDP has built a small but stable electoral base among Catholics Eastern Orthodox and Protestants as well as religious minorities in New South Wales 57 particularly in the Bible Belt suburbs of north western Sydney and in some country areas but the CDP has only achieved modest results in its attempts to expand its electoral base further The party has comparable support in Western Australia which broke away to form the Australian Christians party but has lacked similar representation in its state parliament because its seats have higher election quotas citation needed The Christian Democratic Party sees the policies of the major parties as an attack on their traditional views Gordon Moyes no longer a member of the party explained Our Christian heritage is under attack from pagan and secularist forces militant Islamic groups a neo communism under a Green guise and a strident homosexual lobby that has successfully gained the support of the Labor Party Australian Democrats and the Greens and many from the left of the Liberal Party citation needed For the 1983 federal election the CDP formed an alliance with the Victoria based Democratic Labor Party They did not win any seats and contested subsequent elections separately citation needed The Christian Democratic Party generally had two sometimes three sitting members in the New South Wales Legislative Council at any one time Usually these two individuals have been Nile and one other member At the 1984 New South Wales state election Nile was joined by former Liberal politician Jim Cameron Cameron retired shortly after being elected due to serious health problems and was replaced by Marie Bignold Nile s wife Elaine Nile joined her husband and Bignold at the Legislative Council at the 1988 New South Wales state election Bignold subsequently had a falling out with Fred and Elaine Nile over Bignold s opposition to the Liberal Party stance on industrial relations a policy position supported by the Niles citation needed The restructuring of the Legislative Council in 1991 meant that Bignold s seat was abolished and she was forced to an early election but she failed in her bid for re election The party was involved in Glenn Druery s Minor Party Alliance 58 59 Paul Green was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council at the 2011 state election aged 45 years at the time of this election 60 He failed to be re elected in the 2019 election 61 This was the first NSW Legislative Council election that the party failed to get any candidates elected since its founding Elected representatives editFederal edit House of Representatives edit John Bradford 1998 New South Wales edit Legislative Council edit Fred Nile 1981 2004 2004 2022 Jim Cameron 1984 Marie Bignold 1984 1988 Elaine Nile 1988 2002 Gordon Moyes 2002 2009 Paul Green 2011 2019 Penrith City Council edit Maurice Girotto 2016 Shoalhaven City Council edit Paul Green until 2012 Uralla Shire Council edit Isabel Strutt 2006 2012 Electoral performance editSenate edit Election Votes D Seats won Rank 1990 136 522 1 37 0 09 0 76 nbsp 5th 1993 108 938 1 02 0 35 0 76 nbsp 5th 1996 117 274 1 08 0 06 0 76 nbsp 6th 1998 122 516 1 09 0 01 0 76 nbsp 6th 2001 129 966 1 12 0 03 0 76 nbsp 6th 2004 140 674 1 18 0 06 0 76 nbsp 7th 2007 118 614 0 94 0 24 0 76 nbsp 7th 2010 127 894 1 01 0 07 0 76 nbsp 9th 2013 72 544 0 54 0 47 0 76 nbsp 15th 2016 162 155 1 17 0 63 0 76 nbsp 10th 2019 94 301 0 65 0 52 0 76 nbsp 13th New South Wales edit Legislative Council Election year ofoverall votes ofoverall vote ofseats won ofoverall seats Notes 1981 248 425 9 11 1 15 1 44 nbsp 1 1984 175 068 6 09 1 15 2 45 nbsp 1 1988 173 569 5 74 1 15 3 45 nbsp 1 1991 114 648 3 58 1 21 2 42 nbsp 1995 101 556 3 01 1 21 2 42 nbsp 1999 112 699 3 17 1 21 2 42 nbsp 2003 112 865 3 03 1 21 2 42 nbsp 2007 168 545 4 42 1 21 2 42 nbsp 2011 127 233 3 12 1 21 2 42 nbsp 2015 126 305 2 93 1 21 2 42 nbsp 2019 101 328 2 28 0 21 1 42 nbsp 1See also edit nbsp Conservatism portal Christian politics in Australia Australian Christians Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey Family First PartyReferences edit Christian Youth Christian Democratic Party Archived from the original on 17 March 2022 Retrieved 25 July 2022 Mike Baird accidental premier 30 January 2015 The group also has links to the Christian Right particularly the Christian Democratic Party of Reverend Fred Nile CDP Australian Christians Archived from the original on 25 April 2013 Retrieved 23 April 2013 Sandeman John 10 June 2021 Breaking News Christian Democratic Party in receivership Eternity News Retrieved 12 June 2021 Osborne Paul Fred Nile party taken off federal register 7news Retrieved 8 April 2022 Fred Nile says the Christian Democratic Party is officially dead Eternity News www eternitynews com au 29 March 2022 Retrieved 2 May 2022 The future of Christians in Politics Christ in Government Fred Nile Alliance Christian Democratic Party 29 March 2022 Retrieved 2 May 2022 About Christian Democratic Party Christian Democratic Party Retrieved 15 June 2018 About Christian Democratic Party Christian Democratic Party Retrieved 6 August 2017 Christian Democrat Party UWA John Bradford will replace Elaine Nile The Christian Democratic Party Press release 29 August 2000 Archived from the original on 27 March 2012 Retrieved 31 October 2011 Clune David June 2001 2000 Ad Australian Journal of Politics and History University of Queensland Press Retrieved 31 October 2011 Nile wants stop to Muslim migrants The Australian 12 March 2007 Archived from the original on 25 May 2007 Christian Democrats receive death threats The Australian 13 March 2007 Archived from the original on 16 March 2007 Presidents of the Legislative Council 1856 to date Parliament of New South Wales Archived from the original on 14 March 2011 Retrieved 19 June 2010 Presidents of the Legislative Council vote Parliament of New South Wales Archived from the original on 25 May 2011 Retrieved 19 June 2010 What of Muslim immigration and the existence of their schools Gordon Moyes 7 January 2008 Archived from the original on 19 December 2010 Retrieved 19 June 2010 Carly Lisa 7 September 2008 Christian Soldiers at War The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 19 June 2010 God s MPs in row The Daily Telegraph Australia 3 February 2009 p 8 Anti Muslim anti gay Party in holy war of words ABC News Australia 3 February 2009 Retrieved 8 March 2010 Feneley Rick 4 February 2009 Nile calls on the power of prayer to remove a political thorn in his side The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 8 March 2010 Expelled for trying to be more Christian Gordon Moyes 20 April 2009 Archived from the original on 19 December 2010 Retrieved 19 June 2010 a b Why Party expulsions are self defeating Gordon Moyes 20 April 2009 Archived from the original on 26 May 2009 Retrieved 19 June 2010 The End is Nigh Gordon Moyes 8 January 2009 Archived from the original on 11 July 2011 Retrieved 19 June 2010 David Blunt Deputy Clerk of the NSW Parliament Parliament of New South Wales 23 March 2009 Archived from the original on 6 December 2010 Retrieved 19 June 2010 Do CDP members realise what is happening Gordon Moyes 17 April 2009 Archived from the original on 28 October 2010 Retrieved 19 June 2010 Sheppard Elwyn 18 March 2009 Expulsion of Dr Moyes Right of Appeal PDF The Family World News Archived from the original PDF on 13 December 2014 Retrieved 18 March 2009 Mitchell Alex 20 April 2009 Nile expells sic Flash but he won t be silenced Crikey Retrieved 31 October 2011 Christian Democrats in fighting sees moves to oust Fred Nile OUTInPerth LGBTIQ News and Culture 3 June 2019 Retrieved 7 November 2019 Samraat Joshua Grewal is behind a rebel charge retrieved 7 November 2019 This Doco About A Teen Taking on Fred Nile Is The Most Exciting Political Drama of the Year Junkee 8 July 2019 Retrieved 7 November 2019 Kylar Loussikian Samantha Hutchinson 3 June 2019 Busy Frydenberg sets the banks straight The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 7 November 2019 Smith Alexandra 5 June 2019 The teenage revolution in Fred Nile s party The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 7 November 2019 Meet the 18 year old challenging one of the only Christian parties left in Aus politics The Feed Retrieved 7 November 2019 a b Smith Alexandra 5 November 2019 He s the great survivor Nile stares down second attempt to oust him The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 7 November 2019 Lim Anne 16 July 2019 Christian Democrats regrets they have a few www eternitynews com au Retrieved 7 November 2019 Sandeman John 9 August 2019 CDP crisis meeting for Fred Nile s party www eternitynews com au Retrieved 7 November 2019 Cormack Lucy 30 September 2020 Fred Nile s political party faces axe over lack of members The Sydney Morning Herald Rabe Tom 11 April 2021 Reverend Fred Nile to quit NSW politics names Lyle Shelton as successor The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 12 April 2021 Sandeman John 10 September 2021 Christian Democrat Fred Nile Disendorses Lyle Shelton Eternity News Retrieved 10 September 2021 Sandeman John Breaking News Christian Democratic Party in Receivership Eternity News dead link Osborne Paul 21 March 2022 Fred Nile party taken off federal register 7News a b c Welcome to The Christian Democratic Party The Christian Democratic Party Retrieved 1 February 2011 About Christian Democratic Party Christian Democratic Party Retrieved 8 May 2018 a b What is CDP The Christian Democratic Party Archived from the original on 18 February 2011 Retrieved 1 February 2011 a b Principles of the CDP Christian Democratic Party Christian Democratic Party Retrieved 6 August 2017 James Elton Pym 23 May 2013 Warning that Australian Christians party is a rebranded Christian Democratic Party for Federal Election News com au Pro Life Issues Federal Policies The Christian Democratic Party Archived from the original on 9 March 2012 Retrieved 31 October 2011 Islam Federal Policies The Christian Democratic Party Archived from the original on 28 September 2011 Retrieved 31 October 2011 a b c d e f g Policy Christian Democratic Party 8 May 2018 Archived from the original on 8 May 2018 Retrieved 8 May 2018 Kozaki Danuta 30 March 2015 NSW Election 2015 Public float considered for NSW poles and wires privatisation Baird ABC News Retrieved 16 May 2018 NSW Premier Mike Baird s power sale passes Christian Democratic MP Fred Nile roadblock The Sydney Morning Herald 3 June 2015 Retrieved 16 May 2018 a b c Pulpit choice gives offence The Sydney Morning Herald 28 January 2011 Retrieved 1 February 2011 Ad puts a face to gay marriage issue The Sydney Morning Herald 6 February 2011 Retrieved 14 November 2011 Debate on homosexuality and the Mardi Gras 2GB 21 February 2011 Archived from the original on 23 February 2011 Protecting children from homosexual recruitment 26 February 2011 Archived from the original on 25 April 2012 Retrieved 14 November 2011 Fred Nile A Continuing life of Achievement Family World News 27 9 1 2019 ISSN 1447 1140 Bormann Trevor 5 September 2013 Bitter dispute erupts over Senate preferences in Queensland ABC News Retrieved 16 May 2018 Alliance of micro parties boosts odds for likes of One Nation or Shooters and Fishers gaining Senate spot through preferences The Daily Telegraph 5 September 2013 Retrieved 16 May 2018 Mr Paul Green 1966 Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales Retrieved 2 May 2019 Stewart Selby Coleman Oscar 15 April 2019 Leyonhjelm fails in NSW Upper House bid Animal Justice Party claims seat Retrieved 15 April 2019 Bibliography editFred Nile Autobiography Sydney Strand Publishing 2001 ISBN 1 876825 79 0External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christian Democratic Party Australia Christian Democratic Party archived News Weekly letter about the CDP in WA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Christian Democratic Party Australia 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