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A New Breed of Christian Politician

by | Wed, May 19 2021

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Damian Wyld
Damian Wyld (Photo credit: facebook.com/dawyld)

Change is happening very quickly here in Australia. In fact, there is speculation that the next Federal Election could happen by the end of this year. You may have caught the news that the Reverend Fred Nile has announced his retirement from the New South Wales Upper house seat that he’s held for almost 40 years.

Of course subsequent to that, there is the parachuting of Lyle Shelton, the former Australian Christian lobby leader into that seat in November this year. Federal MPs, such as Kevin Andrews have announced retirement on the weekend. Then there was that news from the long serving liberal Senator, Eric Abetz that he’s been demoted to a potentially risky third spot on the liberal Senate ticket ahead of the next Federal Election.

Then there’s George Christenson from North Queensland, who has announced he won’t be re-contesting his seat at the next election. These have all been strong advocates for Christian values, so the question might be asked, what does a new breed of Christian politician look like? What qualities and character traits does a Christian need to bring Christian values into our parliaments?

You may love or despise those Christian politicians who have been serving for many years, but who will represent Christian values in our parliamentary chambers when they are gone. Damian Wyld leads the Australian Family Coalition, defending the family and promoting a society grounded on conservative Christian values, and aspiring to safeguard our freedoms that are under threat today.

Damian joined Neil Johnson on Vision’s 20Twenty program to discuss the Christian political landscape as he sees it today. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and occasionally working alongside some of these people over the years. Reverend Fred Nile, worked tirelessly for the people over these last four decades. But I can attest to the fact that Lyle Shelton is also a very competent person, is a good Christian, and I’m sure that he will give his absolute best as well.”

Damian continues, “I don’t think that Christians have a monopoly on common sense. I’d like to think that we’ve got a lot of allies out there in the broader community. The other person you mentioned was George Christensen, who has been doing so much to promote the idea of providing lifesaving treatment to children who survived failed abortions.”

“It’s unfortunate that Kevin Andrews has been forced into retirement because he lost pre-selection. He has done so much for life and family issues, not the least of which was overturning the Northern Territory euthanasia laws in the mid-nineties. Kevin will be sorely missed.”

Damian shares that many of those he works with politically who share faith, often talk of the parable with the three servants whose master went away and left them some talents. “And we know what happened to the bloke who buried his talents. I think that’s true of all who might have a vocation to the political life. We certainly need more Christians involved in public life and politics is no exception to that. There has been a huge infiltration of secularist, progressive ideas into the political world, and that means that there’s a huge ground to be won. It’s not simply that we need more good people in politics, but we also need to convince people that there are ideas worth backing and standing for. I mean, Mark Latham is a typical example of that sort of person. There is so much work to be done, but it’s certainly not a time for Christians to recoil from that process.”

Damian talks about what he thinks this new breed of Christian politicians might need to look like. “Regardless of whether it’s MPS or rank and file churchgoers, I think those characteristics are largely the same. We need people to be courageous. We need people to be fearless, regardless of whether they’re everyday Christians or whether they are someone who seeks to serve in our parliaments.”

Damian continues, “I don’t think of myself as a particularly eloquent speaker or have any special skills, but I saw a need. And that’s why I’m doing the work that I am. I think that if more people come to the realisation that there are these gaping holes in our society, then no matter what our failings, we would seek to fill those gaps.

Damian says we can certainly see the state of our various States and territories, the state of our country and the state of the world. “I’m not going to sugar coat it. Things are not flash at the moment. We’ve seen the aftermath of the marriage legal redefinition in 2017 and the myriad of changes that have come from that. I don’t think there’s any question that there has never been a more urgent time for people to get involved in this process.”

“I know in particular, people like Senator Claire Chandler from Tasmania, who has been so active in defending biological truth, women’s rights, women’s sport, all these sorts of things. She’s been remarkable in what she’s achieved. And Senator Alex from South Australia who was quite vocal over some really challenging campaigns in Adelaide, including prostitution and the radical abortion to birth bill. These are issues that he didn’t need to get involved with, but as a federal Senator in his home state he thought I’ve got to speak out on these.

And that’s the sort of courageous leadership that we need to expect from our politicians, wherever they are.”

Damian also believes that we need to be able to understand and address the issues that do matter to people which by and large are important things like having a job, putting a roof over your head and looking after your family.

I think to show them that a pro family Christian approach can actually address these issues is the way to go.

To hear more on the changing political landscape in Australia, listen below to hear to the rest of Neil’s discussion with Damian….

Tune into 20Twenty and join the conversation with Neil Johnson, weekdays on Vision Christian Radio. Click here for your local times.

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