Jim Wallace (Australia)

Not to be confused with Jim Wallis.
For other people named James Wallace, see James Wallace (disambiguation).
Jim Wallace
AM
Birth name James John Arundel Wallace
Service/branch Australian Army
Rank Brigadier
Commands held Special Air Service Regiment

James John Arundel "Jim" Wallace AM is a retired Australian army officer and a current lobbyist on social issues. Wallace was the managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby from 2000 to 2013.[1][2] He is now the Chairman of that organisation.[3]

Wallace studied at the Royal Military College, Duntroon and the British Army Staff College.[4] He served in the Australian Army for 32 years, reaching the rank of brigadier. His service included command of the Special Air Service Regiment, for which he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1984.[5][6]

Wallace has publicly expressed opposition to women in combat[7] and changing the Marriage Act of Australia.[8][9] Several of his public comments, particularly those about homosexuality, have attracted criticism.[10][11]

Writing in the Herald Sun, journalist Miranda Devine has said that Wallace "has copped more than his fair share of abuse when it comes to defending traditional marriage".[12]

Wallace has raised concerns about violent video games.[13] The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Wallace "suggested a homosexual lifestyle was more hazardous to health than smoking."[14][15] In response Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of Australia at the time, called Wallace's comments "heartless", "wrong" and "totally unacceptable".[16] On 4 May 2012, Wallace appeared before the Australian Senate, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee during their consideration of the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 where he presented to the Committee his arguments, "in support of the definition of marriage".[17]

Following a return visit to Syria, in 2013, to assess the situation for the minorities in the Syrian conflict, Wallace said that the vulnerable Christians there will face even worse persecution than that experienced by Egypt’s Coptic Christians.[18] Saying that the West's policy for the Middle East "courts a disaster", he urged the West to take decisive action to protect Syria's Christians.[19]

Wallace also commentates on defence and security issues,[20] having lived in the Middle East where he served with the United Nations in Lebanon and Syria. His Order of Australia was for services to counter-terrorism and is currently a ministerial appointee to the Council of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.[21]

References

  1. ↑ Sandeman, John (29 April 2013). "Changing the guard at the Christian lobby". Eternity Newspaper. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Hatcher, Leigh (28 April 2013). "Jim and Lyle: Changing of the guard". Open House. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Our Board". Australian Christian Lobby. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "Our Staff". Australian Christian Lobby. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "Search: Wallace, James John Arundel". It's An Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 11 June 1984.
  6. ↑ Austin, Steve (8 June 2005). "Jim Wallace of the Australian Christian Lobby". ABC Queensland. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  7. ↑ "Former SAS Commander says no to women in combat". 702 ABC Sydney. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Ethical arguments against same-sex marriage laws". Religion & Ethics Dept. ABC. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "Gay marriage is threatening our freedom of faith". The Punch. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  10. ↑ Cullen, Simon. "Lower House votes down same-sex marriage bill". ABC NEWS. ABC. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  11. ↑ Masters, Stephanie (25 April 2011). "Jim Wallace from Australian Christian Lobby causes Anzac Day outrage with anti-gay, anti-Muslim Twitter message". The Advertiser. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  12. ↑ Devine, Miranda (22 October 2011). "Gays must curb vile vitriol". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  13. ↑ Wallace, Jim (30 July 2011). "Virtual classes of cold-blooded killing". The Australian. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  14. ↑ Farr, Malcolm. "Julia Gillard cancels speech at Australian Christian Lobby conference over 'smoking healthier than gay marriage' slur". News.com.au. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "It's all in the packaging". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  16. ↑ Harrison, Dan (6 September 2012). "Gillard singes Christian Lobby over 'offensive' gay remark". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  17. ↑ "Witness statements". Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. Australian Parliament. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "West must act decisively to protect Syria's persecuted Christians". The Australian. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "Syrian Syriac National Council Urges Support of Christians in the Country". The Christian Post. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  20. ↑ O'Brien, Kerry (7 April 2003). "Iraq war analysis". 7.30 Report. ABC. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  21. ↑ "BIO". The Drum Opinion. ABC. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/5/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.