The Australian Family Association (AFA) is a conservative Christian political organisation. It was founded in 1980 by the

National Civic Council The National Civic Council (or NCC) is a conservative Christian lobby group in Australia, founded by B.A. Santamaria in the 1940s. The NCC publishes a weekly magazine, ''News Weekly''. The NCC promotes policy based on Santamaria's Catholic value ...

's then president,

B. A. Santamaria Bartholomew Augustine Santamaria, usually known as B. A. Santamaria (14 August 1915 – 25 February 1998), was an Australian Roman Catholic anti-Communist political activist and journalist. He was a guiding influence in the founding of the Dem ...

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". The AFA lobbies against issues including

same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same sex or gender. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 33 countries, with the most recent being Mexico, constituting ...

transgender rights A transgender person is someone whose gender identity is inconsistent or not culturally associated with the sex they were assigned at birth and also with the gender role that is associated with that sex. They may have, or may intend to establi ...

reproductive rights Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows: Reproductive rights rest o ...

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

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 The Australian Classification Review Board is a statutory censorship and classification body overseen by the Australian Government. The corporate body is responsible for reviewing classification decisions made by the Australian Classification Bo ...

for letting the protest influence them. At an anti

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 pedophiles 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'."

References

External links

Official site
{{Authority control Anti-abortion organisations in Australia Political organisations based in Australia Organizations established in 1980 Family in Australia

Beliefs and lobbying

Controversy and criticism

See also

References

External links