Home > Beliefs Survey > NSW Legislative Assembly Election 2007
List of Candidates for Canterbury (NSW)
= previously sitting member
Ballot PositionCandidatePartyQ1Q2Q3Q4Q5Q6Q7Q8Q9Q10Total
MANSOUR, RamzyLiberal Party 00000000000
1REN JingUnity 00000000000
2CRONIN AlanAustralians Against Fr Immigr 00000000000
3DONAYRE ChristineGreens 00000000000
4BURNEY LindaAustralian Labor Party 102521023102248
5HENNIEN EhabChristian Democratic Party 10101010101010101010100
6MANSOUR PhilipLiberal Party 10107375101010375

FamilyVoice survey scoring rewards openness and honesty. Failure to acknowledge the survey scores zero. A response to the survey is scored separately for each question: full agreement (Yes Definitely) scores 10, Probably = 7, Unsure = 5, Unlikely = 3, total opposition (Definitely Not) = 2, and No Comment = 1. The total score for all 10 questions thus ranges from 0 to 100.

Questionnaire

Candidates were asked to indicate how they would vote or did vote on these issues by answering the questions. If they are bound by party policy on a particular question, they were asked to provide an answer in accordance with that policy.

1. Prayers in parliament
The tradition of Christian prayers in parliament is part of our Australian heritage - reminding MPs, like all other people, that they are imperfect and need guidance. This tradition recognises the 68% of Australians who identified themselves as adherents of Christian faith in the 2001 Census. Opening parliamentary proceedings with prayer is an appropriate expression of government responsibility to its electorate.
Do you support the current practice of opening each day of parliament with Christian prayers?

2. The Governor
Government House has been the residence of the Governor of New South Wales almost since settlement in 1788. In 1996, the then Premier of NSW, Hon Bob Carr, evicted the Governor who was then required to provide his or her own home and commute to an office leased by the taxpayer, while Government House remains underused, and is also maintained by the taxpayer. In addition to the increased financial costs, the damage to the system of checks and balances present in our system of government in the form of diminishing the office of the Governor is an intolerable attack on democracy.
Would you support the return of the NSW Governor to Government House?

3. Registration of civil unions
Evidence abounds that marriage is more beneficial to society than cohabitation. Marriages are more stable and the children of married parents perform better educationally and socially, have lower involvement in drug-taking and crime and hence develop into more productive adults. The special status of marriage should therefore be protected by rejecting any elevation of other relationships, such as male-female cohabitation or same sex partnerships, to a similar legal status.
Would you vote against any bill that provides for the registration of civil unions or other relationships?

4. Mardi Gras
The Mardi Gras events promote the homosexual lifestyle as acceptable and worthwhile. In fact, homosexual behaviour is associated with adverse outcomes in physical and mental health and social well-being. It is also morally repugnant to many members of the community. Some of the events include lewd behaviour in public which would not be tolerated in any other context. It is inappropriate for public funds to be used to underwrite these events.
Would you support moves to end taxpayer funding of homosexual Mardi Gras events?

5. Abortion
Abortion is currently illegal under sections 82-84 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). Abortion should remain unlawful because it terminates human life and can result in mothers experiencing serious physical and mental suffering.
Would you oppose any move to legalise abortion in New South Wales?

6. Human cloning
Cloning of human embryos for any purpose is currently unlawful in New South Wales. In December 2006 the Commonwealth made cloning of human embryos for research lawful. The Premier, Mr Iemma, has indicated he may introduce similar legislation in NSW. It is wrong to create human life solely for destructive research. The medical and scientific benefits sought through human cloning can be better attained through ethical research such as the use of adult stem cells.
Would you oppose any move to legalise human cloning in New South Wales?

7. Australian civics curriculum
A nation can only progress when its citizens are aware of the nation's origins. It is important that Australians understand all aspects of their heritage, including the significant Christian component.
Would you support the inclusion of Australia's Christian heritage as part of school civics or history curricula?

8. Child protection
The Australian criminal justice system protects the innocent from unjust conviction and punishment, by presuming that an accused person is innocent unless a charge against him is proved beyond reasonable doubt. This presumption seems to have been wound back for accusations of child abuse out of concern for child protection. However, false allegations of child abuse can easily be made, leading to injustice.
Would you oppose legislation that would remove the presumption of innocence from parents or others accused of child abuse?

9. Illegal Drugs
Australia has the highest per capita use of illegal drugs in the world, triggering a mental health crisis - since those addicted to marijuana and amphetamines risk becoming mentally ill 3-11 times more than those who do not use drugs. Teen cannabis users can damage their brains irreversibly. The 'harm minimisation' policies of the past have failed - they sustain drug users in their habit. The Kings Cross supervised injecting room seriously breaches Australia's commitments under the international drug conventions.
Would you support the replacement of the current 'harm minimisation' policy on illegal drugs with rigorous enforcement of a 'harm prevention' policy including closure of the Kings Cross supervised injecting room?

10. Homosexual vilification
The definition of homosexual vilification in NSW law is so broad that any comment considered offensive by a member of the homosexual community may be deemed unlawful. This law has been used to harass people who have expressed views on homosexual behaviour in good faith, with the intention to inform, not denigrate. The law has thus limited freedom of speech, a fundamental value in our democratic society.
Would you support freedom of speech by voting to repeal the amendments made to anti-discrimination law by the Anti-Discrimination (Homosexual Vilification) Amendment Act 1993?