I can't help but think that the use of a term like "Christian culture that underpins our society" undermines Abbott's argument.

It points to a line of thinking which gives greater credence to biblical babble than rational thought. It is one of those fasionable right wing politically correct terms, goes well with a dose of intelligent design and other modern fables.
The more rabid the right winger the more likely they will add a "Judeo" in front of the Christian to reinforce their Old Testament leanings.

Abbott may like to see Australia as a fundamentally Christian country but he is wrong. Australians don't believe in anything in particular, and most believe in little with any passion or conviction. Football and cricket are "tragic" exceptions. Fortunately Aussies read the sports pages and ignore the bleatings of self important columnists right or left.

The reality is Australians are almost universally utitilarian, bugger principles or morality, if it works and can make a difference we will use it. I am not being critical, this approach to life seems to me no less moral overall than any other.

Mr Abbot makes reference to "Left-liberal"

Does he mean people like Petro Georgiou, Judith Troeth, Judi Moylan and Russell Broadbent?

These days, many of the most important and difficult debates don't occur in parliament but in lengthy live media interviews where politicians are expected to have instant answers to every question and a single mistake can be disastrous.

The above is perhaps brought about by not answering with sincerity questions in question time. Closing disscusion with collusion. An open parliment has gone, we need the press to flesh out decisions, like"did god tell you to say or do that"
Thank whoever Tony your not a Muslim.
fluff4

Tony Abbott is entitled to believe anything he likes and he is entitled to live according to the precepts of his beliefs as rigorously as he likes as a private citizen. He is not, however, entitled to use his position as a minister to legislate to restrict my rights according to his personal beliefs.
No-one wants to compell those who do not personally believe in them to use contraception, take RU486, benefit from any medical breakthroughs in stem cell research, or terminate an unwanted pregnancy. What infuriates those of us without religious belief is when many of the religious - including, on occasions, Minister Abbott - seek to impose their beliefs on us. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions, I believe, but, to their credit, they do not seek to insist that the rest of us do not have them.
It is fine to be an active Christian, Muslim or Zoroastrian in your private life, but as an elected representative in a secular, pluralist society, it is important to carefully assess issues according to their merits and respect the personal views and beliefs of all your constituents, even if you personally disagree with them.