NSW:No devil dealing with the Greens:O'Farrell

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2011
NSW:No devil dealing with the Greens:O'Farrell

SYDNEY, Feb 15 AAP - A Liberal NSW government has no intention of dealing with the
devil but both party leaders acknowledge where faith and politics do and do not mix.

State opposition leader Barry O'Farrell has taken another shot at the NSW Greens, vowing
never to do political deals with them if they gain the balance of power in the upper house.

"We have no intention of doing deals with the devil ...," Mr O'Farrell said on Tuesday
evening in Sydney before a group of Christian church leaders.

The coalition is expected to win government at the March 26 election with incumbent
Labor at a record low approval rating with voters.

"I have no intentions of either playing for a draw which happened in the federal campaign
and then being prepared to junk promises in order to hang on to office.

"Nor ... would I trade away our core beliefs - the promises we make, the commitments
we give - before the election no matter what the situation is in the upper house after
the election."

Mr O'Farrell and Premier Kristina Keneally on Tuesday appeared before a forum of religious
leaders organised by the Australian Cristian Lobby at Parliament House.

A feminist and devout Catholic, Ms Keneally took the stage first and delivered a speech
and then answered questions.

"There is my faith and then there is my job," she said.

"They are not separate nor are they combined. There are numerous points of intersection
between the two."

Mr O'Farrell later addressed the forum, dividing his faith more sharply from his politician
decisions.

"Getting people to become and act like Christians is a matter for individual Christians
and the churches," Mr O'Farrell said.

"It's not and should never be within the job description of the premier of New South Wales."

Both leaders answered questions about policies for the poor, curbing alcohol-related
violence at licensed premises and a potential review of ethics classes in schools legislation.

Tighter controls over poker machine gambling, the de-criminalisation of abortion and
narrowing the legislation on adoption by same-sex couples were also put to the leaders.

Ms Keneally and Mr O'Farrell kept with their current positions on the issues when providing
answers.

AAP vpm/msk

KEYWORD: POLLNSW RELIGION

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