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The Australian Christian Lobby, formerly known as the Australian Christian Coalition, was formed in August 1995. Gaining popularity through the Northern Territory's decision to legalise euthanasia in certain circumstances, the Lobby now has its head office in Canberra with branches in several states. Its current slogan is "To see the Christian Vote and Opinion Count". The vision statement claims that the group is not linked with the extremist right Christian movement nor is it seeking to turn Australia into a theocracy. Rather, that "Christian principles and ethics accepted and influencing the way we are governed, do business and related to each other as a community".
[edit] Origin
Three men from different denominational affiliations and backgrounds founded the Australian Christian Coalition (ACC) in 1995. At the time of the founding, two of them resided in Canberra and one in Brisbane. Essentially, the lobby group was the brainchild of John Gagliardi, a lay leader of a large Pentecostal church in Brisbane, who stated that the vision was to create an organization that would have influence in the political arena, on behalf of all Christians, no matter what denomination. Promotion material stated that the purpose of the groups was to make a stand against ‘humanistic legislation’ and ‘minority groups’. Gagliardi’s background was in journalism, and he held positions as Editor of the Townsville Bulletin and as anchorman for the Channel 10 news. Having a double Masters in business and politics, he owned and operated a business in Brisbane. John McNicoll was a retired Baptist Minister turned lobbyist in Canberra before becoming involved in the Australian Christian Coalition. John Miller, who worked with a number of community and government organisations in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, held lay leadership positions within his independent, community-based church.
Although the ACC board was cross denominational, according to research carried out by the Christian Research Association the Coalition was, at least initially, heavily supported by Pentecostals.
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