Fred Nile of the Christian Democrat Party joined farming groups, union reps, indigenous leaders, anti CSG protestors, concerned citizens, Labor, the Greens and Independents outside NSW Parliament and spoke against the proposed new laws. Fred then went inside and voted for the new laws.

Politics mean some political parties are in a position to do deals in exchange for their votes. Deals (and donors) are apparently more important these days than people and principles. God only knows what unholy deals are being done. Perhaps, in this case, Fred was just getting forgetful in his senior years? In my opinion, those who usually take such actions have more in common with Judas than Jesus.

Jesus spoke out against the religious leaders of the day. He spoke for the marginalised and downtrodden, and against the bigots and the greedy. A bearded, sandal wearing, out of town, anti-establishment figure drawing a crowd and spreading a message. He overturned the tables in the temple, made a whip of chords and drove out those who were putting profit before principles.

Seven years gaol under our new laws may be preferable to crucifixion, but I still think Fred was being a bit harsh.

There was another religious leader, an American Baptist Minister, who spoke out, marched in the streets, protested and drew crowds. His name was Martin Luther King. Amongst many things, he said: "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."

Mark Selmes, Taralga.