Jim Wallace
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1968–2000
RankBrigadier
Commands heldSpecial Air Service Regiment
Battles/warsUnited Nations Truce Supervision Organization
AwardsMember of the Order of Australia
Other workChristian lobbyist

James John Arundel 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]

Early life and military career

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 (1988–1990). He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1984.[5][6]

Activism and criticism

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]

Wallace has raised concerns about violent video games.[12] The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Wallace "suggested a homosexual lifestyle was more hazardous to health than smoking."[13][14] In response Prime Minister Julia Gillard called Wallace's comments "heartless", "wrong" and "totally unacceptable", and cancelled a speech she had planned to give to the ACL's national conference.[15] 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".[16]

Following a return visit to Syria in 2013 to assess the situation for the minorities in the Syrian conflict, Wallace claimed the vulnerable Christians there will face even worse persecution than that experienced by Egypt's Coptic Christians.[17] 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.[18]

Wallace also commentates on defence and security issues,[19] having lived in the Middle East where he served with the United Nations in Lebanon and Syria.[20] In 2003 he was appointed the Council of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute by the Minister for Defence.[21] As of 2017 he was no longer on ASPI's Council.[22]

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. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "Our Staff". Australian Christian Lobby. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. 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. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  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. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 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. 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. ↑ Wallace, Jim (30 July 2011). "Virtual classes of cold-blooded killing". The Australian. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "It's all in the packaging". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  15. ↑ Harrison, Dan (6 September 2012). "Gillard singes Christian Lobby over 'offensive' gay remark". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "Witness statements". Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. Australian Parliament. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  17. ↑ "West must act decisively to protect Syria's persecuted Christians". The Australian. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  18. ↑ "Syrian Syriac National Council Urges Support of Christians in the Country". The Christian Post. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  19. ↑ O'Brien, Kerry (7 April 2003). "Iraq war analysis". 7.30 Report. Australia: ABC News. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  20. ↑ "BIO". The Drum Opinion. Australia: ABC News. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  21. ↑ Minister of Defence (27 May 2003). "New ASPI Council Members". Media release. Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  22. ↑ "Our people". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
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