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Snubbed. Gobsmacked. Bewildered.

For reasons which currently are not public, a completely ludicrous decision has been made today.

One of the nation's leading church-based charity groups, the Salvation Army, has been left off the committee that will oversee bushfire appeal funds. Despite raising more than $12 million for bushfire victims and already distributing $1.4 million in cash, the Salvation Army will not play a role in overseeing the operation of distributing the millions raised. Opposition community services spokesman Tony Abbott called for the inclusion of the Salvation Army. "The Salvation Army are always there when times are tough, without any favouritism as to race or creed," Mr Abbott said. "The Salvos are at least as active as any other welfare group. It is disappointing they aren't being given a look-in at official level. "For some reason -- maybe it is because of their Christian orientation, maybe because they were thought to be close to the Howard government -- the Rudd Government is giving them the cold shoulder. It is wrong and it should stop immediately." Salvation Army spokesman Neil Venables said the organisation was ready to respond to any invitation. "We would hope that it's not because of our Christian values and the perception that we were close to the previous government," Major Venables said. "We were committed to working with the Howard government, as we are committed to working with the Rudd Government. "It is not about political persuasion; it is about how we most effectively fulfil our mission. At times like this, the Army has the ability to do its best work." Sources within the Salvation Army said many officers had been "gobsmacked and bewildered" by their failure to be included in government planning and co-ordination, including being omitted from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Advisory Panel. The administration costs of the official government-Red Cross appeal are being picked up by the Government, but the same offer has not been extended to the Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal. Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

I really hope this is rectified. The Salvation Army are one of the most trusted charity organisations in Australia (quite apart from being a church), and to exclude them from this process is foolishness. This is especially so considering how much they have already contributed to the relief of the misery caused by the tragedy, and the overt Christianity of our Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd. To be denied a mission field such as this strikes me as a real miscarriage of justice. What do you think? Even if you don't know much about the fires, or Australia, tell me how you think the government, the church and secular charity organisations shoud / can work together in times like these.

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Posterous theme by Cory Watilo.

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Snubbed. Gobsmacked. Bewildered.