ACT Election 2024
Murrumbidgee

Religious Freedom

The freedom for people of faith and faith-based institutions to act according to their convictions without interference or threat from the territory government.  

Case Study: Calvary Hospital 

In 2023, the ACT Government passed the Health Infrastructure Enabling Act, giving it executive powers to compulsorily acquire Calvary Hospital, a private Catholic hospital. 

The legislation bypassed traditional parliamentary processes and was justified by concerns about future healthcare needs in Canberra. One of the concerns raised by ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith was the hospital’s “problematic overriding religious ethos,” which restricted the range of services that could be provided—specifically, abortion and assisted suicide. 

Here’s how your current members voted on the bill that enabled the government to forcibly acquire Calvary Hospital. 

Here’s what incoming candidates are saying about the bill that enabled the government to forcibly acquire Calvary Hospital. 

Name & Party	Christian schools to hire Christian staff	Apology to calvary
Andrew Copp Family First Party
Paula McGrady Independent
Andy Verri Family First Party

Sanctity of Life | Abortion

The belief that every life is sacred, created in love by a loving God, who foreknew us before our birth. We uphold that life is in God’s hands, not man’s, from conception to natural death (Jer 1:5, Ps 139:15-16). 

Case Study: Access to Abortion 

During this term, the ACT Government has expanded access to abortion services, including making abortions free and increasing access to late-term terminations. 

The latest legislative change in 2024 was the Health (Improved Abortion Access) Amendment Act, which allowed nurse practitioners and midwives to prescribe toxic abortion pills and requires conscientious objectors (health professionals who refuse to participate in abortion services on religious or moral grounds) to refer patients to an alternative abortion provider. 

Here’s how your current members voted on the bill that expanded access to abortions: 

Here’s what incoming candidates are saying about the bill that expanded access to abortions: 

Name & Party	Protect babies born alive	Restrict access to late-term abortion	Stop the expansion of abortion
Andrew Copp Family First Party
Paula McGrady Independent
Andy Verri Family First Party

Sanctity of Life | Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)

Case Study: Assisted Suicide 

During this term, the ACT Government passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2024, legalising the assisted suicide of patients who are considered terminally ill, from November 2025. 

In 2023, Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne raised the idea that children have an “evolving capacity” to make decisions about their health. Although the bill was limited to adults over 18 with a terminal illness, consideration of expanding access to minors and those without decision-making capacity continues.  

Conscientious objectors and institutions are compelled to refer patients for assisted suicide, regardless of belief. 

Here’s how your current members voted on VAD: 

Here’s what incoming candidates are saying about the bill that expanded access to VAD: 

Name & Party	Conscientious objection for clinicians (VAD)	Stop the expansion to children, mentally ill, and disabled
Andrew Copp Family First Party
Paula McGrady Independent
Andy Verri Family First Party

Drug Law Reform

We believe we have a responsibility as Christians to speak up for the vulnerable, those who cannot speak for themselves (Pro 31:8-9). This extends to those who suffer from addiction and the families and children whose safety is endangered by these individuals.  

In 2023, the ACT Government introduced changes to the Drugs of Dependence Act, reducing penalties for the possession of small quantities of illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Individuals found in possession now face either a $100 fine or referral to a drug diversion program.  

The government cited harm minimisation as a key reason for softening drug laws. However, there are increasing calls from the Greens Party to take this further by decriminalising all illicit drugs entirely and regulating them similarly to alcohol. 

Here’s how your current members voted on the mitigation of penalties for hard drugs: 

Here’s what incoming candidates are saying about the bill on the mitigation of penalties for hard drugs: 

Name & Party	Reverse liberalising of illicit drugs
Andrew Copp Family First Party
Paula McGrady Independent
Andy Verri Family First Party

Gender Ideology

We believe that God created male and female with a unique and beautiful design that complements each other within the marriage relationship (Gen 1:27). Created as distinct and binary, yet meant to be different in ways that harmonise, their union reflects God’s glory. This profound complementarity mirrors Christ’s relationship with the Church, with Jesus as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride. 

Case Study: Conversion Therapy 

In 2020, just prior to the ACT elections, the ACT Government passed the Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices Bill, banning any “treatment or practice” aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 

These laws have significant consequences for pastors, parents, and clinicians, restricting their ability to offer guidance or counselling based on religious or professional beliefs. 

The laws infringe on religious freedom and free speech, with parents, pastors professionals being unable to address the truth about gender ideology, and the harms of sex modification, even as developing evidence, like the Cass Review, undermines the efficacy of these medical treatments for minors. 

Here’s how your current members voted on Conversion Therapy: 

Here’s what incoming candidates are saying about the bill on conversion therapy: 

Name & Party	Agree that sex is binary	Independent Inquiry into  gender dysphoria	Ban on puberty blockers for minors
Andrew Copp Family First Party
Paula McGrady Independent
Andy Verri Family First Party