Today it was reported that The Reverend Honourable Fred Nile has chosen to withdraw his endorsement of my candidacy to succeed him in the New South Wales Parliament in November.
Since moving to Sydney at Rev Nile’s invitation I have sought to build on his legacy and help build a thriving movement committed to the preservation of Christian values in our parliament.
In just a few months, I encouraged more than 6,000 Christians to sign up to support the Christian Democratic Party. Over 700 people have donated $120,000 to see this vision fulfilled and hundreds of Christians have joined the party as financial members.
This new lease of life was the direct result of Rev Nile’s vision to secure a future for the party.
As the Christian Democratic Party emerges from receivership and its present legal troubles, it has an opportunity to move forward.
It is clear that over recent years, the party has been riven with factions and divisions that should have no place in a Christian organisation.
A truly Christian political movement ought to look very different and behave differently than the major parties. Yet sadly, the behaviour that has been on display in the party’s organisational wing in recent years has fallen well short of the standard expected of a Christian organisation.
In the coming weeks and months, we have an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and put an end to disgraceful practices.
To that end I pledge my ongoing service to party members and supporters as we build a political movement that truly reflects Christ’s character.