Christian democracy of the type found in Europe never gained a strong presence in Australia. While sectarianism was an important factor in Australian politics in the early 20th century it was only a single element in political divisions at the time, with Roman Catholics along with the Irish tending to be drawn towards the left-wing Australian Labor Party, while Protestants were grouped alongside the British in the various anti-Labor conservative parties of the time.
Even as Australians' levels of church attendance declined, religious influence, particularly the influence of socially conservative Christians, within political parties has remained strong. In 2017 the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship meet fortnightly, with about 60 members from all sides of politics in attendance. This is more than a quarter of total parliamentary members. The Australian National Prayer Breakfast started in 1985 and is based on the National Prayer Breakfast. Conservative religious community groups such as the Australian Family Association have been vocal in their opposition to developments such as gay rights and same sex marriage.
Christian organisations, especially the Catholic Church in Australia are influential on many social and political issues. It operates through a number of front organisations ostensibly on particular public issues, such as the Australian Family Association, the Australian Family Coalition,elp us defend religious freedom in Australia the Australian Christian Lobby and the Marriage Alliance, all of which oppose legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia, and Freedom for Faith, which promotes itself as "a Christian legal think tank that exists to see religious freedom protected and promoted in Australia,"Freedom for Faith - about us but which proposed to the Ruddock Inquiry Into Religious Freedom in Australia to make further exceptions to the Discrimination Act ostensibly on the basis of religious freedom.The Ruddock Review
Parties United Christian Party (1972–1983) Australian Family Movement (1974–1990) Christian Democratic Party (1977–2022) One Australia Movement (1986–1992) Family First Party (2002–2017) Rise Up Australia Party (2011–2019) Australian Christians (party) (2011–present) Australian Family Party (2020–) Family First Party (2021–)
Election results
YearHouse of RepresentativesSenate Candidate(s) Votes % Candidate(s) Votes %1980United Christian Party2,0500.02Call to Australia118,5351.54Concerned Christian Candidates4,1890.05Christian Democrat Party1,6480.02 Total2,0500.02Total124,3721.621983Australian Christian Party3,0160.03Call to Australia96,0651.20Christian Voice3,1130.04Australian Family Movement3260.00 Total3,0160.03Total99,5041.241984Call to Australia162,2721.82Australian Family Movement18,8410.21Total181,1132.031987Australian Family Movement4,0650.04Call to Australia136,8251.46One Australia Movement13,0630.14Total4,0650.04Total149,8881.601990Call to Australia96,4970.97Call to Australia136,5221.371993Call to Australia49,4670.47Call to Australia108,9451.021996Call to Australia43,1830.40Call to Australia117,2741.081998Christian Democratic Party64,9160.58Christian Democratic Party122,5161.092001Christian Democratic Party69,2940.60Christian Democratic Party129,9661.122004 Family First Party235,3152.01 Family First Party210,5671.76Christian Democratic Party72,2410.62Christian Democratic Party140,6741.18 Total307,5562.63Total351,2412.942007 Family First Party246,7921.99 Family First Party204,7881.62Christian Democratic Party104,7050.84Christian Democratic Party118,6140.94 Total351,4972.83Total323,4022.562010 Family First Party279,3302.25 Family First Party267,4932.10Christian Democratic Party83,0090.67Christian Democratic Party127,8941.01 Total362,3392.92Total395,3873.112013 Family First Party181,8201.41 Family First Party149,3061.11Christian Democratic Party88,5760.69Christian Democratic Party72,5440.54Rise Up Australia Party48,5820.38Rise Up Australia Party49,3410.37Australian Christians42,4980.33Australian Christians54,1540.40 Total361,4762.80Total325,3452.432016 Family First Party201,2221.49 Family First Party191,1121.38Christian Democratic Party178,0261.31Christian Democratic Party162,1551.17Rise Up Australia Party68,4180.51Rise Up Australia Party36,4240.26Australian Christians43,1500.32Australian Christians66,5250.48 Total490,8163.62Total456,2163.302019Christian Democratic Party97,5130.68Christian Democratic Party94,3010.65Rise Up Australia Party14,0320.10Rise Up Australia Party64,3440.44Australian Christians23,8020.17Australian Christians23,9830.16 Total135,3470.95Total182,6281.252022Australian Christians19,8670.14Australian Christians33,1430.22Australian Family Party4,7990.03 Total19,8670.14Total37,9420.25
See also Australian Christian Lobby Irreligion in Australia Marriage Alliance Politics of Australia Religion in Australia
References