Australian Family Association

The Australian Family Association (AFA) is a conservative political organisation with the aim of supporting and strengthening traditional family values. It was founded in 1980 by the National Civic Council's then president, B. A. Santamaria, to "promote the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society".

Contents

Beliefs

According to its stated objectives, the AFA aims "to cultivate within society an appreciation that the integrity and wellbeing of the family is essential to the stability, morale, security and prosperity of the Australian nation". It defines a family as being "composed of father, mother and children". It also lobbies on issues related to its central purpose, such as the definition of marriage, abortion, media standards and classification, cloning, pornography and illicit drug use.

Objectives

The objectives for which the Australian Family Association is established are:

  1. to cultivate within society an appreciation that the integrity and well being of the family is essential to the stability, morale, security and prosperity of the Australian nation.
  2. to analyze laws and policies for their effect on the family and to formulate and promote corrective measures as necessary.
  3. by means of conferences, seminars and the active involvement of individuals and groups, to create public awareness of the fundamental importance of the family unit.
  4. to facilitate research and act as a resource centre for the effective pursuit of the Association's objectives.
  5. to promote and encourage the development of services to assist families in difficulties.
  6. to do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.

Founder and patrons

The Association was founded by B.A. Santamaria, a prominent Melbourne Catholic activist. Current and former patrons of the organisation include former Governor-General Michael Jeffery, the late Kim Edward Beazley, Professor Rupert Goodman, Prof. Jerzy Zubrzycki, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and renowned Australian war veteran Major General W.B. "Digger" James.

Controversy and criticism

The organisation has been criticised for protesting against films they have not even viewed.[1]

At an anti same-sex marriage rally the AFA co-organised, guest speakers stated gay marriage should be "laughed at and ridiculed" and associated gay marriage with paedophilia. Mental health psychologist Paul Martin said such comments would be psychologically damaging to young gay people, stating "the last thing they need to hear are these kinds of offensive comments from people who purport to represent 'family values'."[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Fitzgerald, Ross (7 January 2008). "Howard's moral cleansers past their use-by date". The Australian: p. 6. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/moral-cleansers-past-their-use-by-date/story-e6frg6qf-1111115258791. Retrieved 3 May 2010. 
  2. ^ "Gay marriage ridicule 'damages youths'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 August, 2011. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/gay-marriage-ridicule-damages-youths-20110816-1ivrb.html. Retrieved 16 August 2011. 

External links