Voting in the Federal Election
The first election I ever voted in was for a Parish Council in an Anglican Church about a month after I turned 18 and it was super exciting. A friend who had just turned 19 was elected! Since then I have voted in all sorts of elections and votes and I believe it is an important part of having my say on the use of our common resources and direction of our organisations and country. I know some people take a contrary view and yet the beauty of Christian fellowship is that we can hold and discuss opposing views without assuming we hate each other. This is not often the case in society today where belief and identity have been conflated, so now, active or verbal disagreement is deemed to be an act of violence. We need to model something different in disagreement and discussion and knowing when to open your mouth and when not to is often the biggest challenge.
The Scriptures urge us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to pray regularly for those in power over us. They need our prayers but we should also pray for ourselves in our responsibility for electing them. No one should ever force you to vote in a certain way, but I want to urge you to think carefully about how to vote.
Firstly, we must recognise that each party has various standpoints on different issues and some proposed policies may make it more difficult in the future to be Christian or to hold to and teach a Christian worldview. Secondly, don’t just assume that voting for a Christian party or people who claim to be Christian is best and don’t assume that voting for the party or person who will most advantage you is best.
With these two things in mind, here are some issues to consider as you go to vote.
Freedom of Religion - what are the party’s policies on what you or a church can say, do, teach and uphold as doctrines? This is particularly important when it comes to Christian teaching in schools and choosing teachers in Christian schools. It’s worth finding out what those standing for election think. We have provided a separate document to help you think about this too.
Life, Death and Medicine - what are the party’s policies on euthanasia and abortion? Will medical professionals be able to conscientiously object to the state policy or will they be forced to toe the line? What philosophy do they uphold when thinking about freedom and life? It’s worth finding out what those standing for election think.
Environmental Theology - what are the party’s policies on the environment and what impact will their decisions have on us? It’s worth finding out what those standing for election think.
Vulnerable People - what are the party’s policies on caring for the weak and vulnerable in our community? Are they concerned about indigenous welfare and people with disabilities? It’s worth finding out what those standing for election think.
These are just four of the issues worth considering this weekend. No doubt there will be others close to your heart. I encourage you to think, ask, pray and decide—not voting the way you feel you should or the way you’ve been told to, but in order to pursue what is best for our society.
