Family First Party

Libs make religious Right turn

2006-10-16T11:25:00.000+10:00

Libs make religious Right turn
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 2 hours ago
... preference deal at the last federal election between the Coalition and the church-based party Family First. I don't think this is good for Australia's democracy ...

Against the odds, Bracks fails to come up trumps

2006-10-16T11:24:00.000+10:00

Against the odds, Bracks fails to come up trumps
The Age, Australia - 10 hours ago
... South Australia's upper house has two "No Pokies" MPs, and other parties (The Greens, Family First, People Power) have views on gambling that go much further ...

Crikey: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and ...

2006-10-15T12:35:00.000+10:00

Comments, corrections, clarifications, and ...
Crikey, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... That's how Family First operates, as we have said time and time again. ... to hoard and not broadcast live two out of three of the current Australia-NZ Netball ..

Bracks urged to splash out on water tank rebate

2006-10-15T12:31:00.000+10:00

Bracks urged to splash out on water tank rebate
The Age, Australia - 11 hours ago
... With backyard tanks estimated to save Victoria 1 billion litres a year, the Liberals, Nationals, Greens, People Power and

Historic media changes pass (15 articles)

2006-10-15T12:21:00.000+10:00

Allegiance to nation, not leader, says Joyce
The Age, Australia - Oct 13, 2006
... to protect Australia from over-centralisation of the media had been thwarted by Senator Fielding and asked the question: "What was in it for Family First?". ...

Media jigsaw's missing pieces
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Oct 13, 2006
... a flurry of activity," says Harold Mitchell, the owner of Australia's largest media ... Steve Fielding, the Family First senator who delivered the deciding vote in ...

Media face biggest changes in
The West Australian, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... with the support of rebel Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce and Family First Senator Steve ... Andrew Murray said it was a sad day for media diversity in Australia. ...

Senate passes media laws
Border Mail, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... with the support of rebel Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce and Family First senator Steve ... Minister Helen Coonan said the changes would take Australia into the ...

Laws pass, but start date unknown
Daily Telegraph, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... Senator Joyce said his attempts to protect Australia from an over-centralisation of the media had been thwarted by Family First. ...

Historic media changes pass
Townsville Bulletin, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... Senator Joyce said his attempts to protect Australia from an over-centralisation of the media had been thwarted by Family First. ...

AUSTRALIA: Media ready to reshape itself
Asia Pacific Media Network, CA - Oct 12, 2006
... Investors drove up shares in Austereo to their highest since 2002 after Family First senator Stephen Fielding said he would not oppose the bill. ...

Media laws pass Senate
Courier Mail, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... The changes clear the way for the possibility of mergers in Australia's media sector. After the vote, Senator Joyce hit out at lone Family First Senator Steve ...

Media manoeuvres from early next year
The Age, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
THE most comprehensive shake-out of Australia's media industry in two decades ... Despite a last-minute decision by Family First senator Steve Fielding to back ...

Now for end game with piranhas in the pool
The Age, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
For maverick National Party senator Barnaby Joyce it was a disaster for democracy, and for Family First Senator Steve Fielding, well, who knows exactly what ...

Coonan savours victory on media changes
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... party. The legislation was finally passed after the Family First senator, Steve Fielding, voted with the Government when it counted. ...

Takeover speculation as media laws pass
The Age, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... with the support of rebel Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce and Family First senator Steve ... Minister Helen Coonan said the changes would take Australia into the ...

Media shake up gets green light
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce and Family First Senator Steve Fielding voted with the ... Joe Ludwig said the Nationals had sold out regional Australia by voting ...

Media laws pass the Senate
The Australian, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce and Family First senator Steve Fielding voted with the Government to approve the changes, despite Senator Joyce expressing ...

Coonan welcomes media laws' passage
ABC Online, Australia - Oct 12, 2006
... He says he is very disappointed that Family First Senator Steve Fielding failed to support an amendment to further protect media diversity. ...

Cut & paste: Media industry is driven by dollars, not ideology

2006-10-12T10:00:00.000+10:00

Cut & paste: Media industry is driven by dollars, not ideology
The Australian, Australia

Family First's Steve Fielding, in the Senate yesterday, on why the reforms will not limit diversity of opinion

THE real concern ought not be so much the concentration of ownership but the concentration of ideology: the concentration of ideas. Where is the evidence that the key factor that determines ideas is ownership? In other words, that owners dictate ideas? Out there in the real world it's nothing like that...

Olexander calls for establishment of gay and lesbian political ...

2006-10-12T09:47:00.000+10:00

Olexander calls for establishment of gay and lesbian political ...
SX News, Australia - 14 hours ago
... Look at Family First, for instance. ... we also need to keep engaging with the mainstream parties, because politically that’s where it’s at in Australia. ...

Media Reforms (12 articles)

2006-10-12T09:41:00.000+10:00

Radio giant pans reforms
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 1 hour ago
... reforms to ensure they pass the Senate today, Family First senator Steve ... Katanning, Narrogin, Bridgetown, Esperance, Merredin and Northam in Western Australia. ...

Radio at risk from new laws
Courier Mail, Australia - 9 hours ago
... regional areas. Family First Senator Steve Fielding backed the shakeup despite feeling "uneasy" about aspects of the legislation.

Pawn Fielding holds Joyce in check
The Age, Australia - 9 hours ago
Family First senator Steve Fielding accepted Helen Coonan's legislation, giving the Government insurance that it would get its sweeping media law rewrite ...

Media ready to reshape itself
The Age, Australia - 9 hours ago
... Investors drove up shares in Austereo to their highest since 2002 after Family First senator Stephen Fielding said he would not oppose the bill. ...

Strange world of Senator Fielding
The Age, Australia - 9 hours ago
THE critical shift in the debate on the Federal Government's media laws package happened yesterday morning when Family First senator Steven Fielding rose in ...

Third time lucky: media laws will be overhauled
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 9 hours ago
... Family First Senator Stephen Fielding announced yesterday he would support the package, ensuring its smooth passage through Parliament, despite an earlier ...

Coonan hopes concessions will get media bill through Senate
ABC Online, Australia - 14 hours ago
... when it's put to a final vote. Family First Senator Steve Fielding is yet to declare his hand. If he and Senator Joyce supported ...

Future of Coonan's media bill could rest with Fielding
ABC Online, Australia - 14 hours ago
... pledge to back Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce's amendments to the media bills, the future of the legislation could rest with the Family First Senator Steve ...

Fielding backs media reforms
The Age, Australia - 17 hours ago
Family First senator Steve Fielding said he was "uneasy'' about aspects of the changes to media laws but would nonetheless support the legislation. ...

Senate debates media reforms
The Age, Australia - 18 hours ago
... Family First senator Steve Fielding said he was "uneasy'' about aspects of the changes to media laws but would nonetheless support the legislation. ...

Fielding to support media law overhaul
ABC Online, Australia - 19 hours ago
Family First Senator Steve Fielding says he will vote in favour of the Federal Government's overhaul of media laws. The Government ...

Coalition 'delusional' on media: Labor
The Australian, Australia - 20 hours ago
... that publishes newspapers including The Australian and the Herald Sun in Australia. ... Family First senator Steve Fielding said he was "uneasy" about aspects of ...

Labor's Talks with Greens Ominous (Media Release)

2006-10-10T20:44:00.000+10:00

FAMILY FIRST urges Victorians to think very carefully about how they vote in the Upper House on November 25.

It is predicted the Greens will win the Balance of Power. This would be a disaster for Victoria.
The fact that Labor has already sat down with the Greens to discuss how the Parliament will operate after the election is an ominous sign of things to come.

Changes to the Upper House mean that, for the first time, minor parties have the chance to win seats in Parliament. The Greens yesterday revealed that Labor Minister Gavin Jennings has already spoken to them about bringing Parliament back in December after the election.

FAMILY FIRST Victorian leader Cameron Eastman said: "We can't risk the Greens winning the Balance of Power and controlling everything. The Greens are extreme and do not represent ordinary Victorian families.

"For example, the Greens plan to give free heroin to addicts, open injecting rooms across the state and abolish all criminal sanctions for drug users. They also plan to shut Hazelwood power station in the Latrobe Valley. If the extreme Greens have control, jobs will go, communities will be destroyed and crazy ideas will be the order of the day.

"FAMILY FIRST believes no Government should have control of both Houses of Parliament. FAMILY FIRST thinks it would be best if the balance of power was held by parties with mainstream values such as FAMILY FIRST, which wants to reduce petrol tax, curb the pokies plague and make housing more affordable."

Media inquiries to Cameron Eastman 0425 724 170

Stem cells create tumours, says expert

2006-10-10T20:39:00.000+10:00

Stem cells create tumours, says expert
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 1 hour ago
... Family First senator Steve Fielding, who hosted Prof Sherley's visit, said the debate in Australia had largely focussed on the ethics of cloning instead of the ...

Embryonic stem cells 'create tumours'
The Age, Australia - 1 hour ago
... Family First senator Steve Fielding, who hosted Prof Sherley's visit, said the debate in Australia had largely focussed on the ethics of cloning instead of the ...

Police won't come to party

2006-10-10T20:38:00.000+10:00

Police won't come to party
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 11 hours ago
... Formal meetings had been held with Labor, the Liberals, the Nationals and conservative party Family First, while correspondence had been exchanged with Left ...

Amen to Christian social activists

2006-10-10T20:37:00.000+10:00

Amen to Christian social activists
The Australian, Australia - 11 hours ago
... And Family First is not too impressed with John Howard's industrial relations legislation. ... Australia was as agnostic a society as Britain, as secular as Japan. ...

Make media deal or I'll walk away: PM

2006-10-10T20:36:00.000+10:00

Make media deal or I'll walk away: PM
The Australian, Australia - 11 hours ago
... as making the same contribution to a diversity of opinion in Australia as talkback ... Government would be forced to rely on the vote of Family First senator Steve ...

Mateship fails 'values' test

2006-10-10T20:35:00.000+10:00

Mateship fails 'values' test
The Age, Australia - 12 hours ago
... Supporters of Family First were most likely (53 per cent) to believe religion did ... The executive director of the left-leaning Australia Institute, Clive Hamilton ...

Medibank Private posts $200m profit

2006-10-09T12:17:00.000+10:00

Medibank Private posts $200m profit
The Canberra Times, Australia - Oct 5, 2006
... But Family First senator Steve Fielding - who has launched a "Hands Off Medibank Private" campaign - said the record profit was evidence that the health fund ...

Bring troops home from Iraq now: poll

2006-10-09T12:15:00.000+10:00

Bring troops home from Iraq now: poll
The Age, Australia - 11 hours ago
... The ALP is ahead in all mainland states except Western Australia. ... on five points, the Democrats unchanged on 2 per cent, the same rating as Family First. ...

Beazley weighs into preselection process

2006-10-09T12:09:00.000+10:00

Beazley weighs into preselection process
The Australian, Australia - Oct 6, 2006
... Labor candidates for three must-win marginal seats in South Australia will not be ... in Makin in the 2004 election, losing narrowly on Family First preferences to ...

Rudd's unholy row

2006-10-09T12:07:00.000+10:00

Rudd's unholy row
The Australian, Australia - Oct 6, 2006
... and Pentecostal Christians by the Liberals, the Nationals and Family First," he says ... voting in favour of making the abortifacient RU486 available in Australia. ...

Family First plan to scrap stamp duty

2006-10-02T16:10:00.000+10:00

Family First plan to scrap stamp duty
Ninemsn, Australia - Sep 24, 2006
Family First has pledged to give struggling house hunters a leg-up in the housing market by abolishing stamp duty for first homebuyers. ...

Get Ready for Telstra's Slash and Burn Strategy (Media Release)

2006-09-29T16:53:00.000+10:00

Telstra’s secret plans to axe more public phones across Melbourne is just the start of its slash and burn agenda.

FAMILY FIRST strongly opposed flogging off the rest of Telstra, warning that services would be cut to boost profits. The telco hasn't even been flogged off and already hundreds of public phones are being axed across the country. Imagine what is going to happen when Telstra is sold.

FAMILY FIRST calls on the Government to listen to strong community opposition to selling the rest of Telstra and call off the sale. That's what the Government did when it ditched its plans to sell the Snowy Hydro Scheme, a move that FAMILY FIRST applauded.

FAMILY FIRST believes that Telstra is a service, not a business. And it ought to be treated as a service, not a business where the bottom line is all that matters. That is why FAMILY FIRST voted against the full sale of Telstra.

Australians expect governments to provide essential services, including telecommunications. But now they are paying the price for the Government treating Telstra as a business.

We know Telstra has investigated removing more than 25,000 pay phones but decided not to, fearing a public backlash. In February secret plans to slash more than 5,000 public phones were revealed.

The biggest losers from a completely privatised company driven by market forces will be Australians in regional, rural and remote Australia where Telstra’s market share is more than 90 per cent.

FAMILY FIRST supports free enterprise, not the free market. The sorry tale of Telstra is a stark example of the difference between the two.

For media enquiries phone Chief of Staff Felicity Dargan on 0409 550 446

Cheaper Homes and No Stamp Duty under Family First Policy (Media Release)

2006-09-28T15:55:00.000+10:00

Sunday September 24, 2006
HOMES would be cheaper for Victorians under FAMILY FIRST’s housing policy to abolish stamp duty for all first homebuyers.

FAMILY FIRST wants Victorians to be able to afford their own home. Home ownership is the Great Australian Dream as it gives people stability and gives families security.

Increasing numbers of Victorian families are caught in the rental trap and are close to kissing their home ownership dreams goodbye.

Launching FAMILY FIRST’s housing policy in Melbourne’s western suburbs today, Victorian leader Cameron Eastman said the party wanted crippling stamp duty abolished for all first homebuyers buying homes to the value of $400,000.

Victorians buying a $300,000 home would save almost $14,000 while those purchasing a $400,000 home would save almost $20,000.

FAMILY FIRST’s policy will help thousands of Victorians buy their first home and start paying off a mortgage instead of being caught in the rentaltrap.

The Bracks government is drunk on stamp duty, reaping $2.5 billion in 2005/06 on property.

Stamp duty in Victoria is also much higher than other states. Victorians pay $19,660 stamp duty for a $400,000 home, compared to $13,490 in New South Wales and $6500 in Queensland.

Stamp Duty Comparison
Property Price Victoria NSW Queensland
$200,000 $7,660 $5,490 $2,000
$300,000 $13,660 $8,990 $4,250
$400,000 $19,660 $13,490 $6,500
Source: The Sunday Age, 3 September 2006

The average house price, particularly in Melbourne, is beyond the reach of most couples, who are working harder than ever and dream of starting a family.

The latest Housing Industry Association figures reveal the median first home price in Melbourne was $355,900 and for the rest of Victoria $257,800.

FAMILY FIRST estimates the median first home price for the whole of Victoria to be $328,800.

FAMILY FIRST estimates its policy to abolish stamp duty for first homebuyers could cost the Government up to $500 million in lost revenue.

This is based on ABS data revealing that 32,905 first homes were bought in Victoria in 2005/06 and FAMILY FIRST estimating they all cost $328,800 (stamp duty would be $15,388).

Housing affordability will be a key issue for FAMILY FIRST in the Victorian election.

Other parts of FAMILY FIRST’s housing policy are:

• FAMILY FIRST wants the Government to release more land for housing and restore growth areas in the west, south-east and north;

• FAMILY FIRST wants increased Government funding for more public housing to take pressure off long waiting lists;

FAMILY FIRST launched its housing policy in Kealba at the home of married couple Scott and Jessica Amberley who are struggling to buy their first home. Scott, 35, works four days a week in a call centre while lawyer Jessica, 29, works for herself.

“It’s not just raising the money for a deposit, you’ve also got stamp duty and have to be able to meet repayments, which we can’t,” Scott said “We want kids and would love to have our own home first, but that’s not going to happen. We plan to have kids soon and that will put back our house plans by a few years.” Scott, who is FAMILY FIRST’s candidate for Keilor, said not having to pay stamp duty would make a huge difference.

Media inquiries to Cameron Eastman 0425 724 170

Bracks Government Drunkn on Pokies Tax (Media Release)

2006-09-28T15:51:00.000+10:00

Monday September 11, 2006

THE Bracks government's failure to cull the number of poker machines proves it is drunk on pokies tax.

What a joke that the government is sending problem gambling kits to schools instead of tackling the problem itself and culling the number of machines.

And what a joke the Government has ordered a report into how gambling affects kids. If the government really cared it would get rid of the machines!

FAMILY FIRST'S pokies policy is to get pokies out of our suburbs and limit them to Crown Casino.

FAMILY FIRST would also allow some pokies at country racetracks so people in regional Victoria would not have to travel to Melbourne.

Poker machines have inflicted a devastating toll on thousands of Victorian families, particularly children, and the problem is only getting worse.

FAMILY FIRST Victorian leader Cameron Eastman said: "The Bracks government is drunk on pokies tax and has turned a blind eye to the thousands of families whose lives have been ruined. Poker machines plaguing our suburbs have caused family breakdown and financial devastation. The Government must respond to community concern and pull the plug on pokies."

A recent report revealed three in four Victorians believe pokies do more harm than good and gambling was too widely accessible.

For media enquiries phone Cameron Eastman on 0425 724 170

Drug drive testing may be widened

2006-09-28T13:24:00.000+10:00

Drug drive testing may be widened
The Australian - Sydney, Australia
... responding to a question from Family First MLC Dennis Hood who told Parliament a recently released Drug and Alcohol Services of South Australia report, "Risk ...

Family First calls for dam construction; Minor Vic parties make policy pledges

2006-09-28T09:17:00.000+10:00

Family First calls for dam construction
Border Mail, Australia - 3 hours ago
FAMILY First is calling for new dams to be built in Victoria as part of its $1 billion water policy released ahead of the November state election. ...

Minor Vic parties make policy pledges
ABC Online, Australia - 13 hours ago
... they will work to shut down Victoria's dirtiest power plant, Hazelwood, by 2015 if they are elected. Another minority party, Family First has released a policy ...

Family First Calls for New Dams for Victoria (Media Release)

2006-09-27T13:29:00.000+10:00

FAMILY FIRST is calling for new dams to be built in Victoria to boost and secure the state’s water supplies for the future.

We all know Victoria desperately needs more water and building dams is arguably the cheapest, and most sensible, way of addressing our water crisis.

Launching FAMILY FIRST’S water policy today, Victorian leader Cameron Eastman said: “Victoria desperately needs new dams.”

“Banning new dams is stupid. Yet for the last 20 years or so no politician has even dared talk about building more dams.

“With continued population growth, a ‘no dams’ policy is simply not an option. The situation is critical.”

FAMILY FIRST believes new dams would be exciting nation-building projects.

“They would create thousands of new jobs for Victorians and pump billions of dollars into our economy,” Cameron said.

“The Thomson Dam in Gippsland, opened in 1983, was the last major dam built in Victoria and it supplies 60 per cent of Melbourne’s water. Melbourne will have one million more people by 2030 and it is estimated another reservoir of similar size to the Thomson would give Melbourne up to 1,068,000 megalitres of water.”

Cameron said FAMILY FIRST was disappointed the major parties were reluctant to speak about dams because it was too controversial and they feared a public backlash.

“Of course this is a controversial issue, but Victorians want their politicians to lead, to tackle difficult issues and make tough decisions if required,” Cameron said. “This is a test of our next Government’s resolve.

As part of its ‘new dams’ policy, FAMILY FIRST wants:

A re-elected Bracks Government, or a Baillieu Government, to immediately investigate the best sites for new dams as well as the social, environmental and economic impacts of each potential site;
The Government to hold an extensive community consultation process to hear the views of the Victorian community.

It has been more than 20 years since a detailed study was done on dams. The 1985 Rural Water Commission report revealed 143 sites for a new dam with six most likely, including the Goulburn, Thompson and Macalister rivers.

FAMILY FIRST’S water policy also calls on the Government to:

Prepare a comprehensive water plan for Victoria until 2030;
Increase rebates for households to install water tanks;
Make it mandatory for new housing developments to install water tanks and have third-pipe schemes which allow centrally recycled water to be used to flush toilets and water gardens;
Investigate ways to increase the waste water we recycle;
More rebates for Victorians who buy water-saving products like various shower heads;
A water-saving awareness campaign aimed at children.

Media inquiries to Cameron Eastman 0425 724 170

Family First plan to scrap stamp duty

2006-09-27T12:54:00.000+10:00

Family First plan to scrap stamp duty

Ninemsn, Australia - Sep 24, 2006

Family First has pledged to give struggling house hunters a leg-up in the housing market by abolishing stamp duty for first homebuyers. ...

Gambling stakes up

2006-09-21T01:30:00.000+10:00

Gambling stakes up

Courier Mail - Australia
... Family First Senator Steve Fielding yesterday said the Beattie Government was drunk ... year, almost 200,000 poker machine licenses had been issued in Australia. ...

Tale of two cities

2006-09-20T10:44:00.000+10:00

Tale of two cities

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... cane toads in 1935 and the Montreal Olympics in 1976, when Australia failed to ... that it had, indeed, sold the used shorts of its leader, Steve Fielding, on the ...

Calls for inquiry into Department of Child Safety deaths

2006-09-19T12:52:00.000+10:00

Calls for inquiry into Department of Child Safety deaths

ABC Online - Australia
... Family First state director Peter Findlay says the Government is failing to protect children ... Foster Care Queensland's Bryan Smith says not all of the deaths are ...

Aussie values not unique

2006-09-19T02:12:00.000+10:00

Aussie values not unique

Courier Mail - Australia
... But Family First senator Steve Fielding welcomed the Government proposal for a ... can communicate with the rest of the community in Australia," Senator Fielding ...

Family First unhappy over health agency's contact with sex workers

2006-09-18T19:49:00.000+10:00

Family First unhappy over health agency's contact with sex workers

ABC Online - Australia
... NANCE HAXTON: South Australia's Family First Upper House MP Dennis Hood says he was shocked when he was handed a list of prostitutes by one of his constituents ...

Migrants to face tests on English, values; Fielding backs citizenship test

2006-09-18T01:19:00.000+10:00

Migrants to face tests on English, values

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... Fielding said citizenship tests made sense. "The reason why you want to learn English is that, that is how you can communicate with the rest of Australia," he ...

Fielding backs citizenship test
ABC Online - Australia
Family First Senator Steve Fielding has welcomed the proposal for a formal citizenship ... you can communicate with the rest of the community in Australia," he said ...

Family First backs English tests

2006-09-17T16:41:00.000+10:00

Family First backs English tests

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... immigrants before they are able to get Australian citizenship, Family First senator Steve ... you can communicate with the rest of the community within Australia. ...

Family First urges Medibank sale halt

2006-09-17T15:45:00.000+10:00

Family First urges Medibank sale halt

NEWS.com.au - Australia
Surrounded by two dozen supporters, Family First senator Steve Fielding today launched the campaign at Albert Park Lake in Melbourne. ...

No Change, ALP in Command in Australia

2006-09-16T12:50:00.000+10:00

No Change, ALP in Command in Australia

Angus Reid Global Scan - Vancouver,BC,Canada
The Australian Greens are third with nine per cent, followed by the Australian Democrats, Family First and One Nation. Australia’s preferential voting system ...

Just following holy orders

2006-09-16T01:32:00.000+10:00

Just following holy orders

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... The election of the Family First senator Steve Fielding, the Coalition's public ... Frame's slim volume, Church and State: Australia's Imaginary Wall, is his ...

Family First urges investigation into sex worker claims

2006-09-15T16:50:00.000+10:00

Family First urges investigation into sex worker claims

ABC Regional Online - Australia
The Family First Party says it has asked the Police Commissioner to investigate claims that a South Australian government-funded health agency has provided ...

Health service gives disabled sex hook-ups

2006-09-15T13:01:00.000+10:00

Health service gives disabled sex hook-ups

Daily Telegraph - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... people. Family First MLC Dennis Hood said yesterday a constituent had provided him with a copy of a list of sex workers. Entitled ...

Explore Fishing with EDDIE RIDDLE

2006-09-15T05:41:00.000+10:00

Explore Fishing with EDDIE RIDDLE

Townsville Bulletin - Northern Australia,Australia
... February 1 next year, but a handful of North Queensland impoundments will ... The result exceeded, across its target seats, that of Family First while outpolling ...

Labor 'lets down petrol independents'

2006-09-14T19:16:00.000+10:00

Labor 'lets down petrol independents'

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Retail Legislation Repeal Bill to introduce changes to Australia's retail petrol ... with it, leaving the Democrats, Greens, Senators Steve Fielding and Barnaby ...

Australia: Queensland election reveals deep disaffection

2006-09-14T16:56:00.000+10:00

Australia: Queensland election reveals deep disaffection

World Socialist Web Site - Oak Park,MI,USA
... Family First, a right-wing Christian party, stood in Queensland for the first time, but largely failed in its efforts to capture the One Nation constituency. ...

Bill grinds to halt

2006-09-14T09:48:00.000+10:00

Bill grinds to halt

Courier Mail - Australia
... the discounts they offer to retailers. The amendment was put forward by Family First's Steve Fielding. While Senator Joyce said he ...

Coonan proposals face likely tweak; Media beauty in the eye of the beholder

2006-09-14T02:58:00.000+10:00

Coonan proposals face likely tweak

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... to shore up support in the event of a Nationals senator crossing the floor, Senator Coonan has opened negotiations with Family First senator Steve Fielding. ...

Media beauty in the eye of the beholder
Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... side. Senator Coonan met Family First senator Steve Fielding last night, but he is yet to decide which way he will vote. National ...

Howard flags more media laws compromises

2006-09-13T17:27:00.000+10:00

Howard flags more media laws compromises

ABC Online - Australia
... Senator Coonan has also held a meeting with the Family First Senator, Steve Fielding, who says he is yet to decide whether to support the changes. ...

Nats 'object' to media Bill

2006-09-13T14:16:00.000+10:00

Nats 'object' to media Bill

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... Family First senator Steve Fielding has also refused to rule out voting against ... ownership base and secondly greater foreign ownership of Australia's media," he ...

Media law changes in doubt

2006-09-12T20:48:00.000+10:00

Media law changes in doubt

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... If one Coalition senator votes against the legislation, the Government would need the support of Family First senator Steve Fielding to pass the Bills.

Leader loses shorts for charity

2006-09-12T17:38:00.000+10:00

Leader loses shorts for charity

Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia
FAMILY First leader Steve Fielding is selling his highly criticised tennis shorts to raise money for charity and lift his style credentials. ...

Family First wants to stop oil giants

2006-09-12T14:07:00.000+10:00

Family First wants to stop oil giants

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
Senator Steve Fielding said he would move an amendment to the government bill, currently being debated in the Senate, that seeks to limit major oil companies ...

MPs' new roles

2006-09-12T02:53:00.000+10:00

MPs' new roles

Townsville Bulletin - Northern Australia,Australia
... "I wanted a good cabinet that will give Queensland the policy ... The share of the vote for Family First candidate Amanda Nickson and Greens candidate Anja Light ...

Look at us - on a stamp!

2006-09-12T02:43:00.000+10:00

Look at us - on a stamp!

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... because the subject is the "50th Anniversary of Television in Australia" and not the ... POWER of the press: Senator Steve Fielding is bidding farewell to his only ...

Explore 'all abuse reports'; Family First confident after state election; Labor holds edge in federal gridlock

2006-09-11T14:12:00.000+10:00

Explore 'all abuse reports'

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
Family First MLC Dennis Hood will introduce a bill amending the state's Child Protection Act ... SA into line with other states like the NT and Queensland, which have ...

Family First confident after state election
ABC Online - Australia
The Family First party says it is a force in Queensland politics despite figures showing it attracted less than 2 per cent of the primary vote in Saturday's state election.

Family First fielded seven candidates in southern Queensland.

State director Peter Findlay says the state-wide result is misleading.

"You've got to look at the results in the seats we contested and I'm not sure what that is but it will be well over that [2 per cent]," he said.

"We got 10 per cent in many of the seats we contested and 15 per cent in some so I'm not taking any notice of the state-wide figures, I think it's a furphy."

fielded seven candidates in southern Queensland. State director Peter Findlay says the state-wide result is misleading.

Labor holds edge in federal gridlock
The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Labor is ahead on a two-party basis in all mainland states except Western Australia. In Victoria the lead is 54 to 46 per cent ... Family First is polling 1 per cent ...

Labor win not linked to work laws: PM; Preferences snub costly for Coalition

2006-09-11T03:07:00.000+10:00

Labor win not linked to work laws: PM

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... The shortcoming had been the Queensland Coalition's, because ... Family First received nearly 2 per cent of the ... sole One Nation MP in Australia, having retained ...

Preferences snub costly for Coalition
The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... Family First Queensland director Peter Findlay said it was likely his party would have been inclined to direct preferences to the Coalition in more seats if it ...

Parties await people's judgement

2006-09-10T17:36:00.000+10:00

Parties await people's judgement
ABC Regional Online - Australia
... Family First is making its electoral debut in the state election. ... around the state because we've got candidates in a wide range of areas in Queensland," he said ...

Minor parties hail poll results

2006-09-10T14:25:00.000+10:00

Minor parties hail poll results

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... In its first Queensland election, Family First, which fielded 26 candidates, received seven per cent of the primary vote in the seats it contested. ...

Son doesn't shine

2006-09-10T03:19:00.000+10:00

Son doesn't shine

Courier Mail - Australia
... His campaign was dealt an early blow when the Family First party directed ... Party stronghold for decades, held for 40 years by Queensland's longest-serving ...

Voters give Beattie another chance; Opposition Labor Party Still First in Australia;Family First will direct preferences to Labor Party

2006-09-10T00:09:00.000+10:00

Voters give Beattie another chance

ABC Online - Australia
... Family First spokesman Peter Findlay says he is "very excited" by the party's performance in its first election in Queensland. Mr ...

Opposition Labor Party Still First in Australia
Angus Reid Global Scan - Vancouver,BC,Canada
The Australian Greens are third with eight per cent, followed by Family First, the Australian Democrats and One Nation. Australia’s preferential voting system ...

Family First will direct preferences to Labor Party
NEWS.com.au - Australia
... The church-based party is tipped to play a big role in regional seats in its first Queensland election. "Family First had discussions with the Labor Party in ...

Queenslanders to head to polls

2006-09-09T12:44:00.000+10:00

Queenslanders to head to polls

ABC Online - Australia
... the envy in terms of economic performance of every government in Australia.". ... the first Queensland election for political new comer Family First, but spokesman ...

Poll shows Beattie bruised but back

2006-09-09T02:25:00.000+10:00

Poll shows Beattie bruised but back

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... Mr Beattie - once the most popular politician in Australia - will enter ... Other minor parties, including Family First, and independents have benefited from the ...

Family First MP demands petrol review; Bob Brown: A fat lot of good ads do; Aboriginal council blocks access change

2006-09-07T02:47:00.000+10:00

Family First MP demands petrol review

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Family First senator Steve Fielding wants to limit the amount of service stations that companies can own, in a bid to cut petrol prices. ...

Bob Brown: A fat lot of good ads do
The Australian - Sydney,Australia
AUSTRALIA could halt the development of childhood obesity within one year of introducing a coherent program ... Family First's Steve Fielding didn't show up. ...

Aboriginal council blocks access change
The Australian - Sydney,Australia
ABORIGINAL leaders have successfully lobbied South Australia's parliament to block an ... vote after a last-minute change of heart from minor party Family First. ...

Senators oppose death for Bali Nine

2006-09-06T14:11:00.000+10:00

Senators oppose death for Bali Nine

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... four of the nine Australians who tried to smuggle heroin into Australia from Bali. ... Family First senator Steve Fielding says it would be a grave concern if the ...

Politicians 'reject fuel tax cut'

2006-09-06T03:10:00.000+10:00

Politicians 'reject fuel tax cut'

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... cents a litre was rejected because federal politicians don't pay for their own fuel, which costs taxpayers almost $1 million a year, Family First senator Steve ...

Joyce cagey about endorsing media package

2006-09-06T01:05:00.000+10:00

Joyce cagey about endorsing media package

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Problems range from the loss of diversity in regional Australia to anti-siphoning ... Family First Senator Steve Fielding has similar concerns about the package.

Pollies' letters to eat mail boxes

2006-09-05T23:58:00.000+10:00

Pollies' letters to eat mail boxes

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Only the Greens and Family First's Steve Fielding supported Senator Brown's attempt ... an extra $13.7 million with which to bombard letterboxes around Australia. ...

Senators oppose sale

2006-09-04T15:23:00.000+10:00

Senators oppose sale

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Family First senator Steve Fielding said he was still unsure how he felt about the issue. "I'm still trying to make up my mind. ...

Stem cell debate heats up agin

2006-09-04T14:10:00.000+10:00

Stem cell debate heats up agin

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... Senator Allison said. Family First senator Steve Fielding was reluctant to talk on the stem cell debate today. "All the success ...

Safe drivers 'deserve reward'

2006-09-04T13:26:00.000+10:00

Safe drivers 'deserve reward'

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
SOUTH Australia's good drivers should be rewarded with a 25 per cent discount ... with newly introduced Victorian legislation, Family First MLC Dennis Hood says. ...

Supermarket giants feel the heat

2006-09-04T01:16:00.000+10:00

Supermarket giants feel the heat

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... stop supermarkets and oil giants buying up most of Australia's petrol stations ... Senator Steve Fielding said yesterday the restrictions were needed to stop small ...

Don Chipp has the last laugh

2006-09-03T04:53:00.000+10:00

Don Chipp has the last laugh

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... state Liberal leader Ted Baillieu, former Federal Liberal Party president Michael Kroger and his wife Ann Peacock, and Family First senator Stephen Fielding. ...

Mourners lose the Chipp on their shoulders

2006-09-03T01:45:00.000+10:00

Mourners lose the Chipp on their shoulders

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Bracks, Governor of Victoria David de Kretser, state Liberal leader Ted Baillieu Michael Kroger and wife Ann Peacock, and Family First senator Stephen Fielding ...

Churches must not play God with Caesar

2006-09-02T02:10:00.000+10:00

Churches must not play God with Caesar

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... activism in his new book Church and State: Australia's Imaginary Wall ... Discussing Family First, represented in parliament by senator Steve Fielding, Frame writes ...

Left needs faith to find way out of wilderness

2006-09-01T09:35:00.000+10:00

Left needs faith to find way out of wilderness

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... With much of Australia's religio-political activity essentially right wing, Howard's strategists ... Yet Family First hasn't entirely been a blessing to the Howard ...

Rann wipes out speech on suicide; Beattie targets families in launch

2006-09-01T04:21:00.000+10:00

Rann wipes out speech on suicide

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... silence on Ms Kanck's actions as leader of the Democrats in South Australia. ... Council, the Government's motion passed with the help of two Family First MPs and ...

Beattie targets families in launch
Courier Mail - Australia
... on radio this morning as 'family friendly' comes a day after the announcement of a TV and radio advertising blitz by fledgling party Family First which is ...

Keeping the bastards honest

2006-09-01T01:12:00.000+10:00

Keeping the bastards honest

On Line opinion - Australia
... some flared spectacularly and then disappeared (One Nation and also Nuclear Disarmament Party) and for others it’sa bit too soon to tell (Family First). ...

Kanck denies euthanasia speech promotes suicide

2006-08-31T15:47:00.000+10:00

Kanck denies euthanasia speech promotes suicide

ABC Online - Australia
... reason, but to no avail. Family First MP Andrew Evans says voluntary euthanasia is a dangerous cause. "When you analyse that facts ...

Demand for more aides

2006-08-31T07:02:00.000+10:00

Demand for more aides

Courier Mail - Australia
... Early Childhood Australia Queensland secretary Lesley Penrose said the organisation ... Family First candidate for Everton, Dale Shuttleworth, said it was a shame ...

In the Family First way

2006-08-31T02:31:00.000+10:00

In the Family First way

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... Dargan, journalist and media adviser to Family First senator Steve Fielding and former ... indigenous Toowoomba rugby league player who played for Australia in the ...

Beattie in election winning position

2006-08-30T17:53:00.000+10:00

Beattie in election winning position

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... a record 45 per cent. Support for the Greens is at just two per cent, equal to that of Family First. If the results are carried ...

Family First offer cash to young

2006-08-30T14:44:00.000+10:00

Family First offer cash to young

Courier Mail - Australia
... syndrome in Australia works to try to keep everyone on a level playing field, but it doesn’t seem to apply to political campaigns.". Family First estimates ...

Beattie set for bigger majority

2006-08-30T07:40:00.000+10:00

Beattie set for bigger majority

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... Support for the Greens has slumped since the last election, and remains on 2 per cent, equal to that of Family First, which stands among the independents and ...

Libs fear Baillieu will cost key votes

2006-08-30T03:33:00.000+10:00

Libs fear Baillieu will cost key votes

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... Family First upper house candidate and spokesman Cameron Eastman said the party had concerns about several of Mr Baillieu's stances, but no decision on ...

Chipp tried to keep bastards honest

2006-08-30T02:50:00.000+10:00

Chipp tried to keep bastards honest

Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia
... to quit the Liberal Party and form the Democrats as Australia's "third force ... Family First senator Steve Fielding, due to visit Mr Chipp yesterday, said he would ...

Chipp to be honoured with state funeral

2006-08-29T17:28:00.000+10:00

Chipp to be honoured with state funeral

ABC Regional Online - Australia
... last forever. Family First Senator Steve Fielding believes he would not have been elected without Don Chipp's help. Senator Fielding ...

Religion shouldn't be left to the Right

2006-08-29T15:03:00.000+10:00

Religion shouldn't be left to the Right

NEWS.com.au - Australia
... This time, the Catholics have been joined by the Pentecostalists' Family First. With much of Australia's religio-political activity essentially right wing ...

Nationals abandoning bush over Telstra: Beattie

2006-08-28T14:59:00.000+10:00

Nationals abandoning bush over Telstra: Beattie

ABC Online - Australia
... and gas. Meanwhile, the Queensland Coalition says it does not need Family First's preferences for next month's state election. The ...

Australian Christians: Holy Spirit with only a right wing?

2006-08-27T15:35:00.000+10:00

Australian Christians: Holy Spirit with only a right wing?

Green Left Weekly - Chippendale,NSW,Australia
By Amanda Lohrey. Christianity arrived with a bang in Australia at the last elections when ALP preferences shuffled Family First into the Senate. ...

A foot in each camp

2006-08-27T01:35:00.000+10:00

A foot in each camp

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... It may mean that minor parties such as the Greens, Family First and People Power attract more support from voters seeking an alternative to the mainstream ...

Labor to alter bill for gay couples

2006-08-25T05:59:00.000+10:00

Labor to alter bill for gay couples

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
South Australia is the last state to grant its estimated 2500 homosexual ... the views of social conservatives, including minor party Family First, would be ...

Howard let down over tough immigration policy Bill

2006-08-24T13:36:00.000+10:00

Howard let down over tough immigration policy Bill

The National - Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
... reaching Australia and the threats of terrorism. Like the five coalition MPs, the four coalition senators and the only Family First senator Steve Fielding were ...

Libs, Dems unite on gay rights; South Australia under pressure to grant gay rights

2006-08-24T03:31:00.000+10:00

Libs, Dems unite on gay rights

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
SOUTH Australia's Liberals have formed an unlikely alliance with the Democrats ... concerned about any backlash generated by minor party Family First in marginal ...

South Australia under pressure to grant gay rights
PinkNews.co.uk - UK
... rights to gay and lesbian couples, the government in South Australia are still ... A small party called Family First are opposed to the equality legislation, and ...

Conservative rebellion and public wrath

2006-08-23T21:18:00.000+10:00

Conservative rebellion and public wrath

The Guardian (Australia) - Australia
Opposition by Family First Senator Steve Fielding and Liberal Senator Judith Troethe ... mollify disquiet over the proposed sale of Telstra, Australia’s overseas ...

Migration bill creates tears, division

2006-08-22T17:47:00.000+10:00

Migration bill creates tears, division

Jakarta Post - Jakarta,Indonesia
There were rumblings throughout Australia last week, as politicians drew battle lines ... media went into a frenzy over the bill, Senator Steve Fielding -- a man ...

Baby for Dr Ingrid; Refugee bill: why Howard backed down

2006-08-20T19:52:00.000+10:00

Baby for Dr Ingrid

Courier Mail - Australia
... Dr Tall has kept a low profile since her failed run for the seat of Brisbane in 2004, when Family First tried to stir controversy over her sexuality. ...

Refugee bill: why Howard backed down
Green Left Weekly - Chippendale,NSW,Australia
... resulted in the effective excision of the entire mainland of Australia from the ... Family First Senator Steve Fielding had declared the day before that he would ...

Victoria: conscience of a lost nation

2006-08-19T02:52:00.000+10:00

Victoria: conscience of a lost nation

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... Moylan and Bruce Baird waved the flag for Western Australia and NSW ... Georgiou, Russell Broadbent, Judith Troeth, John Forrest and Steve Fielding — ensured the ...

Room for dissent; Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

2006-08-19T01:21:00.000+10:00

Room for dissent

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... After Family First senator Steve Fielding withdrew his vote as a potential lifeline ... a private member's bill, also raised concerns that Australia was adopting a ...

Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
... hardline neogeographers to extend the definition of "Australia" to include ... as "The Pleasure Machine"?) and Ian "Dicko" Dickson for Family First senator Steve ...

Petrol price pressure

2006-08-18T10:46:00.000+10:00

Petrol price pressure

On Line opinion - Australia
Others, like Family First’s Steve Fielding, used the opportunity to score some ... petrol prices at most, if not all, service stations in Western Australia. ...

'Heads I win, tails you lose' approach to religion

2006-08-18T03:25:00.000+10:00

'Heads I win, tails you lose' approach to religion

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... for refugees, particularly those seeking to come to Australia from Indonesia's ... in the Senate, the Nationals' Barnaby Joyce and Family First's Steve Fielding ...

Australia's Howard Forced to Scrap Controversial Asylum Law

2006-08-18T01:09:00.000+10:00

Australia's Howard Forced to Scrap Controversial Asylum Law

Voice of America - USA
... to settle in Australia. And it would have subjected possible refugees to lengthy stays in camps, which could be traumatizing. Senator Steve Fielding, from the ...

Higher oil price good for us all; AUSTRALIA: Senators Lobbied Ahead Of Migration Bill Vote

2006-08-17T08:50:00.000+10:00

Higher oil price good for us all

Stuff.co.nz - Wellington,New Zealand
... Family First senator Steve Fielding's solution is a A10-cents-a-litre cut in petrol excise, costing A$4 billion a year ... Australia and the US won't bite the bullet ...

AUSTRALIA: Senators Lobbied Ahead Of Migration Bill Vote
Pacific Magazine - Honolulu,HI,USA
... Yesterday, Family First Senator Steve Fielding said he would be voting against the ... to give the Senate the power to bring asylum seekers to Australia from Nauru ...

Stay out of politics, cleric tells Christians

2006-08-17T04:06:00.000+10:00

Stay out of politics, cleric tells Christians

The Australian - Sydney,Australia
... For a political party such as Family First to advance a particular position flew in the ... There was a new kind of conflict over Christianity in Australia, he said ...

Howard's broken pledge

2006-08-16T18:49:00.000+10:00

Howard's broken pledge

Courier Mail - Australia
A BROKEN promise John Howard made to the fledgling Family First Party at the last election has come back to haunt him on the immigration Bill. ...

Family First Party

Libs make religious Right turn

Against the odds, Bracks fails to come up trumps

Crikey: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and ...

Bracks urged to splash out on water tank rebate

Historic media changes pass (15 articles)

Cut & paste: Media industry is driven by dollars, not ideology

Cut & paste: Media industry is driven by dollars, not ideologyThe Australian, Australia

Family First's Steve Fielding, in the Senate yesterday, on why the reforms will not limit diversity of opinion

Olexander calls for establishment of gay and lesbian political ...

Media Reforms (12 articles)

Labor's Talks with Greens Ominous (Media Release)

Stem cells create tumours, says expert

Police won't come to party

Amen to Christian social activists

Make media deal or I'll walk away: PM

Mateship fails 'values' test

Medibank Private posts $200m profit

Bring troops home from Iraq now: poll

Beazley weighs into preselection process

Rudd's unholy row

Family First plan to scrap stamp duty

Get Ready for Telstra's Slash and Burn Strategy (Media Release)

Cheaper Homes and No Stamp Duty under Family First Policy (Media Release)

Bracks Government Drunkn on Pokies Tax (Media Release)

Drug drive testing may be widened

Family First calls for dam construction; Minor Vic parties make policy pledges

Family First Calls for New Dams for Victoria (Media Release)

Family First plan to scrap stamp duty

Gambling stakes up

Tale of two cities

Calls for inquiry into Department of Child Safety deaths

Aussie values not unique

Family First unhappy over health agency's contact with sex workers

Migrants to face tests on English, values; Fielding backs citizenship test

Family First backs English tests

Family First urges Medibank sale halt

No Change, ALP in Command in Australia

Just following holy orders

Family First urges investigation into sex worker claims

Health service gives disabled sex hook-ups

Explore Fishing with EDDIE RIDDLE

Labor 'lets down petrol independents'

Australia: Queensland election reveals deep disaffection

Bill grinds to halt

Coonan proposals face likely tweak; Media beauty in the eye of the beholder

Howard flags more media laws compromises

Nats 'object' to media Bill

Media law changes in doubt

Leader loses shorts for charity

Family First wants to stop oil giants

MPs' new roles

Look at us - on a stamp!

Explore 'all abuse reports'; Family First confident after state election; Labor holds edge in federal gridlock

Labor win not linked to work laws: PM; Preferences snub costly for Coalition

Parties await people's judgement

Minor parties hail poll results

Son doesn't shine

Voters give Beattie another chance; Opposition Labor Party Still First in Australia;Family First will direct preferences to Labor Party

Queenslanders to head to polls

Poll shows Beattie bruised but back

Family First MP demands petrol review; Bob Brown: A fat lot of good ads do; Aboriginal council blocks access change

Senators oppose death for Bali Nine

Politicians 'reject fuel tax cut'

Joyce cagey about endorsing media package

Pollies' letters to eat mail boxes

Senators oppose sale

Stem cell debate heats up agin

Safe drivers 'deserve reward'

Supermarket giants feel the heat

Don Chipp has the last laugh

Mourners lose the Chipp on their shoulders

Churches must not play God with Caesar

Left needs faith to find way out of wilderness

Rann wipes out speech on suicide; Beattie targets families in launch

Keeping the bastards honest

Kanck denies euthanasia speech promotes suicide

Demand for more aides

In the Family First way

Beattie in election winning position

Cut & paste: Media industry is driven by dollars, not ideology
The Australian, Australia