Australian Family Association

The Australian Family Association (AFA) is a conservative Christian political organisation. It was founded in 1980 by the National Civic Council's then president, B. A. Santamaria.

Australian Family Association
Founded1980
Area served
Australia
Websitehttps://ncc.org.au/australian-family-association

Beliefs and lobbying

The AFA states they were formed to "provide a forum and vehicle for individuals and organisations in the community concerned with the strengthening and support of the family." They defines marriage as "between one man and one woman, for life".[1] The AFA lobbies against issues including same-sex marriage, transgender rights, reproductive rights and euthanasia.

In 2001, the AFA was among groups who unsuccessfully[2] called for controversial rapper Eminem to be banned from entering Australia, labelling him a "hate rapper".[3]

Controversy and criticism

Ross Fitzgerald criticised the AFA in 2008 for protesting against a film they had not viewed, and also criticised the Australian Classification Review Board for letting the protest influence them.[4]

At an anti same-sex marriage rally the AFA co-organised in 2011, guest speakers stated same-sex marriage should be "laughed at and ridiculed", and incorrectly claimed that same-sex marriage would allow paedophiles to marry children and would affect the ability of women to marry men. Mental health psychologist Paul Martin said such comments would be psychologically damaging to young gay people, stating "the last thing they need to hear are these kinds of offensive comments from people who purport to represent 'family values'."[5]

See also

References
  1. "The Australian Family Association: Who We Are". Australian Family Association. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  2. Carmody, Rebecca (18 July 2001). "Eminem's Australian visa approved". PM. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020.
  3. "Australians try to 'block Eminem tour'". BBC News. 29 May 2001. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021.
  4. Fitzgerald, Ross (7 January 2008). "Howard's moral cleansers past their use-by date". The Australian. p. 6. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  5. "Gay marriage ridicule 'damages youths'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
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