(CT AUS) - The 'grab' for Christian votes is on with both leaders from the two major political parties making a pitch to Christians at the 'Make-It-Count' event held at the National Press Club on Thursday night.
Watched by an estimated 80,000 people in 880 churches across the nation, both John Howard and Kevin Rudd appeal to Australian Christians to vote for them; as each candidate lays out their policy at the event.
Mr Howard used the opportunity to announce that the Federal Government will spend $189 million to protect young people when they are surfing the Internet, by providing free internet filtering software and strengthening the Australian Federal Police's effort to track down sexual predators which target children online.
"This $189 million program will ensure that Australian parents and carers have the support they need to protect their family, based on their own values and their own expectations," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) earlier.
Mr Rudd, on the other hand, would commit Labor to preparing a 'family impact statement' for every submission to Cabinet as well as seeking to help members of the Iraq's Christian minority to flee the country.
"I want to initiate a multilateral conference involving as many states would participate in how would we deal with the needs of that refugee community in Syria and in Jordan and beyond," he told AAP.
"The threat of violence being suffered on a daily basis by this Christian minority in a raging Sunni-Shia civil war that is erupting is terrifying."
Mr Howard then went on to declare the 'profound' influence the Judeo-Christian religion had on Australia, and spoke out against 'political-correctness' where Christians need to demonstrate their tolerance by denying their religious identity.
"Of all of the influences on Australian society, none has been more profound than that of the Judeo-Christian ethic," he said.
"I always find if odd that you have to demonstrate your tolerance by denying your own heritage," he continued. "It's an absurd political correctness which I've been as you know, I've been something of a critic."
Mr Rudd spoke about how his faith had provided a 'compass point' for his life and helped him framed policy.
"For me the question of personal faith also provides a compass point for my life, it also therefore helps shape the values which I hold to be true," he said. "It also therefore helps shape the view I try to bring to the public space as well, not always successfully.
The Federal election, expected to be held later in the year, will be intense and close where the Christian vote will play a significant role in shaping who the next Prime Minister will be.
John Warhurst, a professor specialising in political-groups at the Australian Nation University, told Bloomberg that Christian vote could be a 'decisive factor' in this election, given the attendance of both leaders at this event organised by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). He further added that this constituent is a group which both leaders want to engage with.
"It's a sign (attendance of both leaders at the 'Make-It-Count' Event) religion is back in the political arena, and the Christian vote could be a deciding factor," said Professor Warhurst.
"It's not like in the U.S., where religion is a central theme and dictates the way people vote. Still, Christian groups are a voting block the leaders want to engage.''
In the 2006 Census, although it showed a decline in people who identified themselves as Christians; nevertheless, the vast majority of Australians still identified themselves as Christians.