Now, given that "Family" First is cynically preying on voters whose political consciousness can be pricked simply by repeating the word "family", and given the hardline agenda they actually want to push in parliament, I think it's about time their candidates were recipients of some scrutiny. And by "scrutiny" I don't mean hurling the sort of idiotic smears their supporters throw at Green candidates - I mean make them actually come clean to voters as to what policies they actually represent.
To get started, some questions I'd like to ask my local "Family" First candidate:
- Petrol - Why do you think a 10c/litre cut in petrol tax (a FF policy) would not simply be absorbed by the petrol companies within months? Have you costed this promise? How much would it take out of public revenue?
- Exclusive Brethren campaign - Given the support your party has received from the Exclusive Brethren, do you agree with their policy of separating members from their families and taking children away from their parents? If not, would you support measures to assist people whose families are being broken up by the Brethren?
- Having it both ways - If you’re not a religious party, then why do you attend at church meetings and tell them that you’re advocating for Christ? If you are a religious party, then why do you keep publicly denying Christ?
Please add more in the comments. They're running for public office - it's a bit late for people to discover what sort of people they are after they sneak in on the back of major party preferences.
Then we'll see if we can get one of these candidates for the Australian parliament to actually attend a public forum of some sort where such questions can be asked of them.
(My guess is we can't, because answering questions is the last thing Fundies First wants to do... but we can try.)
