11th February 2008

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

CLARIFICATION OF ISLAMIC POLICIES

The Rev Fred Nile MLC, Hon National and NSW President and founder of the Christian Democratic Party since its formation in 1979 and re organisation in 1997, has issued the following Statement concerning CDP Islamic policies, because of a number of errors in recent media reports. (Prior to 1997 this Christian Party was called “Call to Australia”).

1. Islamic Leaflet – “Aussie Values Versus Radical Islam”. This was the only CDP leaflet issued prior to the 2007 NSW State Election on 24^th March, 2007, that contained any policies concerning Islam. 

However, this Islamic leaflet made NO reference to the Ten-Year Moratorium on Muslim immigration policy, which was adopted in March, after 120,000 copies of this Islamic leaflet were printed and distributed in February 2007.  This Islamic leaflet however did contain nine policies including two policies related to NSW Schools.  Number 4 “Supported NSW school dress policy that all State School children must wear the approved school uniform, not full Muslim headdress”.  Number 6 “Supported regular Education Department inspections of Muslim Schools and youth groups to prevent the preaching of hate speech by Muslim extremists”.

2. Muslim Schools.  The concern of CDP members over the growth of Muslim Schools and Mosques has been discussed at CDP Council meetings.  However, a formal policy on the future of Muslim Schools has not yet been adopted. CDP has supported resident opposition to the proposed Bass Hill and Camden Muslim Schools.

CDP members have asked the question “Should Muslim schools be allowed in Australia when Muslim authorities prohibit Christian Schools and Churches including the Bible, in Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia?”

3.       Resignation of CDP Campaign Media Consultant.  This resignation, in February 2007, occurred before the adoption of the Immigration Policy and had nothing to do with the policy, which was adopted after the employment of a new CDP Campaign Media Consultant. 

4.       2007 State Election Letterbox Leaflets #1 November 2006, #2 February 2007.  These two letterbox leaflets, which were approved by Fred Nile, made NO reference to the Ten-Year Moratorium on Muslim Immigration Policy. 

5.       2007 Federal Senate Campaign Leaflet.  The Federal Senate Campaign leaflet, produced in October 2007, contained the Muslim Immigration policy which had been adopted by the NSW Federal CDP Campaign Committee, the NSW CDP Management Committee, the NSW CDP State Council (March 2007), the National CDP Council (August 2007), and by other State CDP State Councils, including the National Federal Election Policy Committee based in Perth, WA. 

6.       CDP Islamic Policies and the Christian Faith.  These policies have been adopted because the CDP is a Christian Party, that wants to ensure Australia remains a Christian nation in the face of the world-wide revival of the Muslim religious-political ideology and objectives. 

A further statement on the Christian basis of the CDP Muslim policy will be available on request said Rev Fred Nile MLC, Hon National/NSW President.

Note:  A copy of the official CDP Petition is attached concerning Muslim Immigration and is available from the CDP website www.cdp.org.au/petitions which clearly states support for immigration to Australia from all races and colours.  The CDP totally opposes the racist policies of the Australia First Party led by Jim Saleam who has regularly attacked Fred Nile’s policies.