Society

Only Australians facing the death penalty will be offered help

The Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, further defined the Federal Government position on the death penalty, saying Australia would only plea for clemency for its citizen in foreign countries.

The Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, further defined the Federal Government position on the death penalty, saying Australia would only plea for clemency for its citizen in foreign countries.

Though Australia supports the global movement to abolish capital punishment, Ms. Gillard continued, diplomatic resources would only be utilised to for Australian citizens and not that of foreign nationals.

Her comment was in response to the Australian Catholic Church call for the Federal Government to maintain a consistent line in opposing the death penalty and to plead for those, even though they are foreign nationals, who are facing it.

Australian Christians remain divided as to whether capital punishment should be used. The Sydney Anglican Archbishop, Dr. Peter Jensen, referred to the official church doctrine which allowed the punishment.

However, the Uniting Church and the Victorian Presbyterian moderator are opposed to it, though there is no official position within the Presbyterian Church.

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