THE representative from the Christian Democratic Party for the seat of Goulburn entered politics to serve the community.
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Adrian Van Der Byl started his working life in telecommunications before eventually retiring to Tallong for a tree change.
“As a Christian I see involvement in politics as a responsibility and as service for the advancement of the community,” he said.
“I believe that only a Christian set of ethics will serve best the interests of the community.
“It’s in defence of our standards which were bequeathed to us by the Federal Constitution, Commonwealth, Common Law and Rule of Law.”
Mr Van Der Byl is involved in the anti-mosque movement in Marulan and said the Christian Democrats would do whatever was in their power to criminalise Halal certification programs in Australia.
However, the biggest issue Mr Van Der Byl said he would address for Southern Highlands residents in the seat of Goulburn would be the rail timetable.
“The Christian Democrats have rattled cages in budget estimates and question time on the issue, but the government’s attitude hasn’t been very positive,” he said.
“We have the dream of electronic trains all the way from Sydney to Canberra, but the first step is the restoration of a useful timetable from Goulburn.
“The timetable is reasonable to Moss Vale, but past that it’s the dregs.”
Mr Van Der Byl has been involved with the Southern Tablelands Rail Users Group (STRUG) and has pushed their wishes in parliament and encouraged a growing membership.”
In terms of education, Mr Van Der Byl said the Christian Democrats understood that funding for schools hadn’t been sufficient.
“Children are a precious resource for the future generation of the economy,” he said.
“We’re very keen to see scripture classes retained in schools and we’re concerned about school pride programs, which sound nice but are in the business of promoting further acceptance of same-sex lifestyles.”
Mr Van Der Byl also acknowledged that Goulburn was a rural electorate and said he had heard that landholders had dissatisfaction towards the Local Land Services Rates.
“They form a fourth level of taxation after Federal, State and Local Government Rates and the Reverand Fred Nile has informed me he would be happy to put up a bill for the abolition of Local Land Services following the election and the resumption of parliament.
“The Christian Democrats have a set of ethical values that still belong to the Commonwealth and Christian heritage and will promote growth and prosperity.”