Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews has distanced himself from the ultra-conservative group World Congress of Families.
Last week the Minister pulled out of opening and closing the groups conference in Melbourne, now he has stepped down as the groups Ambassador.
A spokesman for the Minister told The Guardian that he no longer held any roles with the group.
“The minister does not hold any roles with the World Congress of Families. He was ‘ambassador’ for the WCF’s one-day congress in Sydney in May 2013 only.” declared the Ministers spokesman.
The group had listed Andrews as it’s International Secretary and described him as an ambassador. The group has confirmed that the description of the minister as it’s International Secretary was an error.
The Minister has also released the speech he planned to deliver at the World Congress of Families before it’s venue change last week. In his proposed six page speech the Mr Andrews argues that marriage is good for the economy. The minister draws on research showing that married couples have higher income levels and more productivity in the workforce.
The minster also argues that divorce leads to greater level of poverty, especially for women, and increased societal burden in that there are more single retirees, more strain on the environment through increased electricity usage,and more children with behavioural problems.
Mr Andrews highlights that the government has introduced his Stronger Relationships trial to save the nation money in the long run. In his speech the minister argues; “family dysfunction and relationship breakdown cost nations billions of dollars a year, prevention deserves greater attention.”
The Stronger Relationships trial has however had a shaky start, during it’s first month the program only distributed 4000, of the available 100,000 vouchers available. The program provides a $200 voucher than can be used to buy places in relationship counseling courses. The program is open to all Australians regardless of sexuality or marital status.
OIP Staff
