The SA upper house election on Saturday is looming as a key battleground, with major parties competing with minor parties and many independent candidates.

“In 2006 there was a record upper house vote for Independent Nick Xenophon,” said FamilyVoice SA state officer David d’Lima.  “Nick is not running in this election, but he has set a precedent.  Many people are now thinking seriously of voting for one party in the House of Assembly (the lower house), but a different party or an Independent in the Legislative Council (the upper house).  This attitude is also spilling over into the lower house, where dissatisfaction with both major parties is leading some people to vote for a minor party or Independent for the first time in their life.

“Voters don’t like vague ‘spin’,” David d’Lima said.  “Our FamilyVoice election survey is designed to eliminate spin, by asking very specific questions on how candidates would vote on a particular issue. 

“We salute the Family First Party whose lead candidate for the upper house is Robert Brokenshire.  Family First candidates, in both the upper and the lower houses, were clear – they said ‘Yes definitely’ to all ten survey questions and scored a total of 100. 

 “We were disappointed that no upper house candidate from Labor or Liberal parties sent a personal survey response,” David d’Lima said.  “Replies are still coming in from Independents (many of whose names were unknown until last week).  So far the leading contenders in survey scores are:

Family First – Robert Brokenshire, Bob Randall, Toni Turnbull: all scored 100.
Democratic Labor Party – Paul Russell, David McCabe: both scored 100.
Independent Save the Unborn – Trevor Grace: scored 100.
Independent Motorsports Land Tax – Joe Ienco: scored 100.
Independent Change is Necessary –Mark and Helen Aldridge: both scored 92.
Independent Climate Sceptics – John Michelmore: scored 87.
Independent Fishing & Lifestyle – Neil Armstrong: scored 77.
Shooters Party – Robert Hudson: scored 74.
Liberal Party – David Ridgway, Stephen Wade, Terry Stephens, Jing Lee, Rita Bouras, Peter Salu, Sarah Jared: official party score, 52.
Labor Party – Paul Holloway, Gail Gago, Bernard Finnigan, John Gazzola, Tung Ngo: official party score, 40.
Independent Less Tax – Michael Noack: 39.

Note: The Greens refused to send a party survey response.  No upper house Greens candidates have sent personal responses, so scored zero.

For full survey details in all electorates, click on: http://www.fava.org.au/election-surveys/south-australia/ 

Questions for Candidates 2010 South Australian Election

The following questions address issues relating to matters of community debate and sometimes South Australian parliamentary vote during recent years. Please indicate how you would vote or did vote on these issues by answering each question – by ticking the appropriate box or by writing an answer on a separate sheet. If you are bound by party policy on a particular question, please provide an answer in accordance with that policy.

1. Prayers in Parliament
Christian prayers in parliament is part of our Australian heritage – reminding MPs, like all other people, that they are imperfect and need guidance. This tradition recognises that most South Australians identified themselves as adherents of Christianity in the 2006 Census. Opening each day of parliamentary proceedings with prayer is a helpful reminder that members of parliament are accountable for their actions.
Would you support the continued opening of parliament each day with Christian prayers?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

2. Abortion law
Recent gold standard research in NZ and elsewhere has shown that abortion is more likely to lead to mental health problems than to alleviate them. The current South Australian law, in Section 82A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935, which allows for abortions to be performed on mental health grounds, may therefore be contributing to mental health problems.
Would you support the removal of mental health grounds as an excuse for abortion?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

3. Child pornography
Although child pornography is illegal in South Australia, a defence of “artistic merit” is provided in Section 63C of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. This allows the production, dissemination and possession of material that would otherwise be prohibited. Children need protection from all child pornography irrespective of supposed “artistic merit”.
Would you support the removal of the artistic merit defence for child pornography?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

4. Same-sex relationship registers
In South Australia, the only couple relationship registered by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages is true marriage – between a man and a woman. Some other states have laws allowing same-sex relationships to be registered, thereby giving them equal status with marriage. Only marriage provides public benefits by creating the best environment for raising children. Its unique status should be preserved.
Would you oppose any bill to allow the registration of same-sex relationships?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

5. Legislative Council
The SA Legislative Council protects our freedoms by providing a check on the power of any government, since the government always controls the lower house. The Legislative Council enhances accountability and guards against corruption. In Queensland, which lacks an upper house, corruption has been an ongoing problem whichever party is in government. Reducing the size of the SA upper house or halving the term of office would reduce its effectiveness.
Would you oppose any bill that would abolish or diminish the SA Legislative Council?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

6. Poker machines
A recent report from the Productivity Commission concludes that up to 60% of revenue in the gambling industry is derived from problem gamblers. Problem gambling is associated with high social costs, including family breakdown. State governments that depend on revenue from poker machines are failing in their duty to provide for the welfare of the people of South Australia.
Would you support a bill for poker machines to be phased out of hotels and clubs by 2015?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

7. Cannabis laws
The Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme currently allows South Australians to grow one non-hydroponic cannabis plant and to possess up to 100 g of cannabis without facing criminal charges. A simple fine is issued and there is no limit to the number of times a person can make use of this expiation scheme. Research confirms the serious risks to physical and mental health harms associated with cannabis use.
Would you support a bill to abolish the Cannabis Expiation Notice Scheme?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

8. Child abuse
International evidence demonstrates that children raised by married parents are at significantly less risk of abuse than children being raised by parents in a de facto relationship. However, South Australia currently does not record the marital status of the parents in a household where a child is living when child abuse is confirmed. Collecting adequate data to identify risk factors for child abuse is essential to the protection of children.
Would you support measures to require the collection of data on marital status in relation to confirmed cases of child abuse?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

9. Prostitution
Prostitution problems – including drug abuse, street and child prostitution – have escalated in Victoria, Queensland and NSW following legalisation or decriminalisation. Police spokesmen say SA laws need strengthening to curb procuring of young people, prostitution-related advertising and flouting of laws by pimps and brothel owners.
Would you vote for enforceable laws to ban prostitution-related advertising and recruitment into the prostitution trade?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

10. Euthanasia
Euthanasia means the intentional killing of a person who is suffering pain or mental distress – instead of providing medical treatment or palliative care. It does not mean ending treatment that is futile or burdensome, since treatment can always be declined. Where euthanasia has been legalised, patients have been killed even in the absence of an explicit request for euthanasia, instead of providing treatment and care.
Would you oppose any bill to legalise euthanasia?
 Yes definitely  Probably  Unsure  Unlikely  Definitely not  No comment

CANDIDATE DETAILS
Name: …………………………………………………………………………………… Electorate: ……………………………………………………………………………..
Party: ……………………………………………………………………………………. Signature: ………………………………………………………………………………
Please return to FamilyVoice Australia
Phone: 1300 365 965 Fax: 08 8223 5850 Email: survey@fava.org.au