... who needs enemies?
Previously, members of the Exclusive Brethren in Australia snuggled up to John Howard and his mates when they held the reins of government.
Now, in an attempt to gain recognition from the other side of the politics in Australia, the Brethren are claiming to have an attachment with the Rudd Labor government.
Previously, members of the Exclusive Brethren in Australia snuggled up to John Howard and his mates when they held the reins of government.
Now, in an attempt to gain recognition from the other side of the politics in Australia, the Brethren are claiming to have an attachment with the Rudd Labor government.
The normally publicity-shy Exclusive Brethren sect has asserted in a rare interview that Labor best represents its conscience, despite repeated stories of it cosying up to and funding the Liberals.
The secretive Christian fellowship has even laughed off Labor leader Kevin Rudd's description of it as an "extremist cult" that breaks up families, an accusation the Christian prime minister made during last year's election campaign.
"I don't blame him for saying that," said senior elder Daniel Hales in an interview with AAP.
"Labor has done well representing the conscience of Brethren members, in fact better than the conservatives."
He cited the freedom for Brethren members not to join trade unions, and Labor's decision not to support what he called Greens leader Bob Brown's "witch hunt" in the form of a failed Senate move for an investigation into the Brethren.
The Brethren's opposition to voting stems from a belief it interferes with God's right to ordain the government of the day, though critics have accused them of giving God a helping hand.
Brethren do believe, however, in taking their concerns to government, which led to meetings with former Howard government ministers from the PM down, including Peter Costello and Tony Abbott.
Read the full report here.
No comments:
Post a Comment