The Lyons Forum

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The Lyons Forum

A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion.

- Justice Black, US Supreme Court, 1962
(describing the Establishment clause of the First Amendment)

Updated 9th May 1998
Known Lyons Forum members to date: 33

The Lyons Forum

The Lyons Forums is a secretive Christian faction of the Federal Coalition which attempts to influence policy in areas such as censorship and other so-called "family" issues. It is widely regarded as the equivalent of the American religious right. The forum has about 50 members, including about 15 members of the front bench, and meets once a fortnight. Membership is restricted to coalition MPs.

An article in The Age on 2nd April 1997 entitled The God Squad provides an insight into the organisation.

The following information has been provided to EFA by the Lyons Forum:

About the Lyons Forum

The Lyons Forum is a group of Members and Senators who believe that families are important for the nation.
It was formed to initiate and monitor legislation with respect to its influence and effect on the family unit.
The Forum will initiate public discussion on family values and call for submissions on various issues from interested persons and organisations.

Such public comment will help shape family policy and bring to the fore any current legislation which discriminates against the family. Proposed legislation will be scrutinised to ensure that it has no adverse effect on the family unit.

Beliefs
Members of the Lyons Forum believe that the family is the fundamental unit of society and is the prime agency for the total development of children.

We believe that marriage is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life and provides the environment in which nurturing of children can best be undertaken.

We believe the well being of the family is essential to the stability, morale, security and prosperity of the Australian nation.

We believe the government through its activities should promote the family as the fundamental unit of society.

The Lyons Forum motto is "The foundation of a Nation's greatness is in the homes of its people".

These are lofty ideals indeed. Unfortunately the translation of these beliefs into policy is done as if the Forum alone has a monopoly on truth and is therefore obligated to impose this truth on others. Despite the rhetoric, there have been no known calls for public submissions to the Forum on any issue. The Forum is clearly a political faction which is promoting a particular agenda without reference to the electorate.

The Forum has pushed for increased censorship of films, videos and magazines, including non-violent erotica (X-rated material). See:
      Censorship challenge for Coalition Sydney Morning Herald, 29 March.
      Censorship at its worst - Editorial, Financial Review, 7 April.
      Galaxy throws down gauntlet on soft porn Financial Review, 7 April.

No doubt influenced by the public outcry over increased censorship, Cabinet on 7th April rejected the Lyons Forum's bid to ban X-rated videos and R-rated material on narrowcast pay televison. See:
Cabinet "yes" to X-rated videos The Age, 8th April.

However, vigilence must continue. Is censorship of the Internet next on the agenda?

An opposing faction, the John Stuart Mills Society, has been formed by other Coalition members to counter the influence of the Lyons Forum.

Known Members of the Lyons Forum

Executive Members:
The Hon. Chris Miles, Chairman (Lib - Tas) Parliamentary Secretary to the PM
Mr. Noel Hicks, Deputy Chairman (Nat - NSW) National Party Whip
Mr. Kevin Andrews, Secretary (Lib - Vic)
Ms. Elizabeth Grace, Treasurer (Lib - Qld)
MHRs:
Mr. Tony Abbott (Lib - NSW)
The Hon. John Anderson (NP - NSW) Primary Industries Minister
Mr John Andrew (Lib - SA)
Mr. John Bradford (CDP - Qld)
Mr Robert Edwin Charles (Lib - Vic)
The Hon. Peter Costello (Lib - Vic) Federal Treasurer
The Hon. Alexander Downer (Lib - SA) Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ms. Trish Draper (Lib - SA)
Mr. Tim Fischer (Nat - NSW) Deputy Prime Minsiter
The Hon. Robert Katter (Nat - Qld)
The Hon. Dr. David Kemp (Lib - Vic) Minister for Schools etc.
Mr Peter Lindsay (Lib - Qld)
Mr Paul Neville (Nat - Qld)
Mr William (Bill) Taylor (Lib - Qld)
The Hon. Andrew Thomson (Lib - NSW) Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Warren Truss (Nat - Qld)
Senators:
Senator Eric. Abetz (Lib - Tas)
Senator the Hon David Brownhill (Nat - NSW) Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade
Senator Paul Calvert (Lib - Tas) Government Deputy Whip
Senator Hedley Chapman (Lib - SA)
Senator Alan Ferguson (Lib - SA)
Senator the Hon Brian Gibson (Lib - Tas)
Senator the Hon. John Herron (Lib - Qld) Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Senator Nick Minchin (Lib - SA) Parliamentary secretary to the PM
Senator the Hon Jocelyn Newman (Lib - Tas) Minister for Social Security and
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women
Senator Bill O'Chee (NP - Qld)
Senator the Hon Warwick Parer (Lib - Qld) Minister for Resources and Energy
Senator John Tierney (Lib - NSW)
Senator John Watson (Lib - Tas)

Fellow Travellers

John Howard (Lib - NSW) Prime Minister
Sen. Brian Harradine (Ind - Tas)
Mr Garry Nehl (Nat - NSW) Deputy Speaker
The Rt Hon. Ian Sinclair (Nat - NSW) Speaker

Non-Members

The following Coalition Members of Parliament have stated that they are not members of the Lyons Forum, in response to a telephone enquiry.

MHRs
Mr. Lawrence (Larry) Anthony (Lib - NSW)
The Hon. Bronwyn Bishop (Lib - NSW) Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel
Mr. Malcolm Brough (Lib - Qld)
Mr Warren Entsch (Lib - Qld)
Ms. Teresa Gambaro (Lib - Qld)
Ms. Chris Gallus (Lib - SA) (J.S. Mills Society chair)
Mr. Petro Georgiou (Lib - Vic)
Mr Gary Hardgrave (Lib - Qld)
Mr. Joseph Hockey (Lib - NSW)
Ms. Susan Jeanes (Lib - SA)
The Hon. David Jull (Lib - Qld) Minister for Administrative Services
Mr Paul Marek (Nat - Qld)
Mr Graeme McDougall (Lib - Qld)
The Hon. Ian Murray McLachlan (Lib - SA) Minister for Defence
The Hon. John Moore (Lib - Qld) Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism
Mr Peter Nugent (Lib - Vic)
Mr Christopher Pyne (Lib - SA)
Dr. Andrew John Southcott (Lib - SA)
The Hon. Bruce Scott (Nat - Qld) Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Mrs Sharman Stone (Lib - Vic)
Mrs Andrea West (Lib - Qld)
Ms. Patricia Worth (Lib - SA) Government Whip

Senators
Senator the Hon Richard Alston (Lib - Vic) Minister for Communications and the Arts
Senator Ron Boswell (Nat - Qld)
Senator Helen Coonan (Lib - NSW)
Senator Jeannie Ferris (Lib - SA)
Senator William Heffernan (Lib - NSW)
Senator the Hon. Robert Hill (Lib - SA) Minister for the Environment
Senator Susan Knowles (Lib - WA)
Senator Ian McDonald (Lib - Qld)
Senator John (Sandy) MacDonald (Nat - NSW)
Senator Julian McGauran (Nat - Vic)
Senator David MacGibbon (Lib - Qld)
Senator Kay Patterson (Lib - Vic)
Senator Margaret Reid (Lib - ACT) President of the Senate
Senator the Hon. James Short (Lib - Vic)
Senator Judith Troeth (Lib - Vic)
Senator the Hon. Vanstone (Lib - SA) Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs

Membership Unknown

EFA believes that voters have the right to know the allegiances of those who represent them in Parliament. Factional interests should not be secret.

We ask your help to determine whether any of the Coalition government MPs named below are members of the Lyons Forum. Pick the name of a Senator for your State, or a local MHR, or any name at random. Ring their electorate or Canberra office and ask their staff, or the member personally, if they are a member. As a voter you are entitled to know. Don't take "I don't think so" for an answer. Ask for a definite Yes or No.

E-Mail the response to Greg Taylor <[email protected]>

The information you provide will be used to update the information on this page.

New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
ACT/NT

NSW

MHRs, NSW

Baldwin, Mr Robert Charles (Bob)
Paterson, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (049) 34 5656
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4492

Bartlett, Mr Kerry Joseph
Macquarie, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (047) 51 7494
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4637

Cadman, Mr Alan Glyndwr
Chief Government Whip
Mitchell, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9899 7211
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4088

Cameron, Mr Ross Alexander
Parramatta, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9689 2833
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4821

Causley, The Hon. Ian Raymond
Page, NSW, National
Electorate Office Phone: (066) 42 6356
or
Electorate Office Phone: (066) 21 9909
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4218

Cobb, Mr Michael Roy
Parkes, NSW, National
Electorate Office Phone: (068) 82 0999
or
Electorate Office Phone: (08) 8087 7649
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4950

Fahey, The Hon. John Joseph
Minister for Finance
Macarthur, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (046) 55 8622
Home: (048) 622 532
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7400

Gash, Mrs Joanna
Gilmore, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (044) 23 1782
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4357

Kelly, Miss Jacqueline Marie (Jackie)
Lindsay, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (047) 32 2844
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4154

Lloyd, Mr James Eric (Jim)
Robertson, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (043) 25 1604
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4963

Mutch, Mr Stephen Bruce
Cook, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9525 8200
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4386

Nairn, Mr Gary Roy
Eden-Monaro, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (06) 297 3952
Home: (06) 299 9117
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4939

Nelson, Dr Brendan John
Bradfield, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9416 4044
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4433

Ruddock, The Hon. Philip Maxwell
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Berowra, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9482 7111
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7860

Sharp, The Hon. John Randall
Minister for Transport and Regional Development
Hume, NSW, National
Electorate Office Phone: (048) 22 2277
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7680

Vaile, Mr Mark Anthony James
National Party Whip Lyne, NSW, National
Electorate Office Phone: (065) 52 5222
Home: (065) 51 4014
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4447

Vale, Mrs Danna Sue
Hughes, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9521 6262
Mobile: 0419 712713
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 2081

Zammit, Mr Paul John
Lowe, NSW, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (02) 9745 4433
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4278

Vic

MHRs, Victoria

Bailey, Mrs Frances Esther (Fran)
McEwen, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5962 1255
Freecall: 1800 134 105
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4280

Barresi, Mr Phillip Anthony
Deakin, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 9873 8351
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4350

Billson, Mr Bruce Fredrick
Dunkley, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 9781 2333
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4879

Broadbent, Mr Russell Evan
McMillan, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5127 1066
Home: (03) 5941 1941
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4814

Forrest, Mr John Alexander
Mallee, Vic, National
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5032 4510
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4723

Halverson, The Hon. Robert George (Bob), OBE
Speaker
Casey, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 9724 9222
Home: (03) 9723 4147
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4000

Hawker, Mr David Peter Maxwell
Wannon, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5572 1100
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4100

Lieberman, The Hon. Louis Stuart
Indi, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5721 5377
Home: (060) 24 2608
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4976

McArthur, Mr Fergus Stewart (Stewart)
Government Whip
Corangamite, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5243 8766
Home: (03) 5593 9201
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4847

McGauran, The Hon. Peter John
Minister for Science and Technology
Gippsland, Vic, National
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5144 6744
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7660

Reid, The Hon. Nicholas Bruce (Bruce)
Bendigo, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5443 9055
Home: (03) 5443 6926
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 2090

Reith, The Hon. Peter Keaston
Leader of the House
Minister for Industrial Relations
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
Flinders, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5979 3188
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7320

Ronaldson, The Hon. Michael John Clyde
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Development Ballarat, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 5331 4188
Home: (03) 5338 1201
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 2114

Wooldridge, The Hon. Dr Michael Richard Lewis
Minister for Health and Family Services
Chisholm, Vic, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 9898 0675
or
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 9563 4073
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7220

Senators, Victoria

Senator the Hon Rod KEMP
Assistant Treasurer
Vic, Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3830
Electorate Office phone: (03) 9326 1088 Toll Free 1800 800 159

Qld

MHRs, Qld.

Elson, Mrs Kay Selma
Forde, Qld, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (07) 3807 6340
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4274

Kelly, Mrs De-Anne Margaret
Dawson, Qld, National
Electorate Office Phone: (079) 57 6411
Home: (079) 55 3715
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4702

Slipper, Mr Peter Neil
Fisher, Qld, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (07) 5491 5099
Home: (07) 5479 4883
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4975

Smith, Mr Anthony Charles
Dickson, Qld, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (07) 3881 2200
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 2230

Somlyay, Mr Alexander Michael
Fairfax, Qld, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (07) 5471 6611
Home: (07) 5443 7300
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 2182

Sullivan, Mrs Kathryn Jean Martin (Kathy)
Moncrieff, Qld, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (07) 5591 1011
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4381

South Australia

MHRs, S.A.

Wakelin, Mr Barry Hugh
Grey, SA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (08) 8645 4255
Mobile: 015 395 689
Electorate Office Phone: (08) 8633 1744
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4943

W.A.

MHRs, W.A.

Cameron, Mr Eoin Harrap
Stirling, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 444 4699
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4941

Evans, Mr Richard David Conroy
Cowan, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 246 1500
Home: (09) 448 3070
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4127

Johnston, Mrs Ricky
Canning, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 493 6000
Home: (09) 381 3992
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4136

Moylan, Hon. Judith Eleanor (Judi)
Minister for Family Services
Pearce, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 250 2533
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7240

Prosser, The Hon. Geoffrey Daniel
Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs
Minister responsible for Customs
Forrest, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (097) 91 1146
Home: (097) 91 1688
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7790

Randall, Mr Donald James (Don)
Swan, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 470 4131
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4412

Tuckey, Mr Charles Wilson (Wilson)
O'Connor, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 325 4077
Home: (09) 277 3076
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4171

Williams, The Hon. Daryl Robert, AM QC
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Tangney, WA, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (09) 316 3633
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7300

Senators, W.A.

Senator the Hon Ian Gordon CAMPBELL
Manager of Government Business in the Senate
W.A., Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3955
Electorate Office phone: (09) 356 2000 Toll Free 1800 191 033

Senator Arthur (Winston) CRANE
W.A., Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3845
Electorate Office phone: (09) 470 4442 Toll Free 1800 193 397

Senator Alan EGGLESTON
W.A., Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3407
Electorate Office phone: (09) 325 4544

Senator Christopher Martin ELLISON
W.A., Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3683
Electorate Office phone: (09) 328 3688 Toll Free 1800 632 388

Senator John Horace PANIZZA
Government Whip
W.A., Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3404
Electorate Office phone: (09) 325 8449 Toll Free 1800 800 334

Tasmania

MHRs, Tasmania

Smith, The Hon. Warwick Leslie
Minister for Sport, Territories and Local Government
Bass, Tas, Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (03) 6334 8511
Home: (03) 6344 8517
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 7080

ACT/NT

MHRs, ACT/NT

Dondas, The Hon. Nicholas Manuel, AM
NT, Country Liberal
Electorate Office Phone: (08) 8945 7400
Home: (08) 8941 0885
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 4519

Senator the Hon Grant Ernest John TAMBLING
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Development
N.T., Country Liberal
Parliament House phone: (06) 277 3436
Electorate Office phone: (089) 81 3567

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