Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morison an unashamed Christian who worships in a Sydney ‘Sutherland Shire’ Pentecostal congregation, in his victory speech, opened with these words – “I have always believed in miracles”.
The Liberal – National Party Coalition against the Polls and political pundits won a sweet victory with swings to conservatism across the nation. Queensland was key to the victory with an almost clean sweep of the entire State.
Whether the Coalition holds power with a one seat majority (76) or as a minority Government (75) is unknown as counting of votes continue, especially the 3.5 million pre-pols across the nation.
Labour’s massive progressive agenda led by former union heavyweight Bill Shorten - according to the commentators – was behind their downfall, likening it to the 1993 Dr John Hewson Liberals ‘losing the unlosable’ election to Labor’s Paul Keating.
Progressive ticket items
So what were these progressive ticket items the majority of Australians rejected.
The dividend-imputation tax was hit severely by those over 65 throughout the electorate.
Economic survival as opposed to radical climate change as illustrated by the Queensland results – one commentator explained it - in socially progressive areas Climate Change was a big issue, elsewhere the silent majority put economic survival as a priority.
There were too many Labor big ticket items to be believed ranging from infrastructure, electric car requirements, negative gearing, the high clean energy dictates, medical, education, big taxes and the means to pay for it all was never clearly explained.
Religious Freedom and freedom of speech was another issue and this was swept along by the Israel Folou dramas with Rugby Australia. Although this was not the major definitive issues of the campaign, it was there in the background with grave concerns over Labor’s stance.
Religious and Christian schools would have lost their ‘considerations’ under Labor. This too was another of those behind the scenes issues. Those parents are voters too.
Labor leader Bill Shorten was not a popular politician and never galvanised the nation as say former Prime Minister Labor’s loved figure Bob Hawke (4 election victories from 1983) who died the day before the election. Social media had numerous – Bill Shorten is no Bob Hawke.
Celebration
It was Scott Morrison’s night. “I have always believed in miracles”. He was confident from the start. He came across as your next door neighbour, goods fellow, well hailed. Moreover, the polls were so way off the mark, perhaps counter-productive.
One of Scott Morrison’s policies which Christians will follow closely is a Religious Discrimination bill in line with other lawful discriminations such as racial. Yes, pray for Scott Morrison and this Government.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children