On this episode of 20Twenty, Bill Muehlenberg from Culture Watch joined us to discuss the current state of Australian politics in the wake of the recent leadership changes. Bill shared his thoughts on where the Coalition stands and what it all means for Christians, along with his concerns about leadership.
Bill talked about a vivid image from one of his latest articles: a photo of a collapsing building propped up by poles. It’s a metaphor, he says, for where the federal Coalition is right now. “It’s due to collapse at any moment,” Bill says. “Whether these support structures are going to last very long is a good question.”
Bill explaned that a series of recent events have shaken conservative confidence: the loss of the federal election, the rise of more moderate figures within both the Liberal and National parties, and what many see as a drift away from traditional values. “Have there been too many votes where it seems the more solid conservative candidates were given the flick?” Bill asked. “A lot of people are wondering, is the Coalition on its last legs?”
Concerns About Leadership
Sussan Ley’s appointment as leader of the Liberal Party was another point of concern for Bill. While some celebrated the historic nature of her leadership, Bill questioned whether she truly represents the values that many Christians and conservatives care about.
“She’s had a moderate record. Net zero, quotas, and not someone who’s spoken out passionately about abortion or the sanctity of life,” he says. “Even her name – she changed it based on numerology and some odd new-age ideas.” But Bill was quick to acknowledge that people can change. In fact, he’s praying for it. “She’s now on my daily prayer list. Maybe she will become a Christian.”
Is It Time to Rethink Political Loyalty?
Bill also challenged Christians to examine where their loyalties lie. In a culture that often sees political loyalty as immovable, he reminded us that faith should always come before party. “All Christians should put their faith over politics. If the party you’ve long supported seems to be getting worse, then yes, you should be rethinking.”
While many evangelical Christians in the US have historically supported the Republicans, the Australian political landscape isn’t as clearly defined. “If our so-called conservative leaders can’t even say what a woman is or take a stand on abortion, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.”
What’s the Path Forward?
While no one has all the answers, Bill suggested the idea of uniting smaller Christian and conservative parties or even forming a new one altogether. “Do we get all the good people out of the Coalition and form a new conservative party? Do the freedom and faith families come together? Maybe that’s where we need to go.”
He also mentioned Family First as a promising party to watch, even though they didn’t win seats in the most recent election. Ultimately, Bill believes there is something deeper here than political reform. “God is a God of surprises. He could raise up someone new or turn someone around. But the truth is, what really ails us is not political. It’s spiritual.”
A Call to Prayer
Bill has a clear message to Christians. Despite concerns about leadership, we must remain alert, discerning, and above all, prayerful. Leadership may change. Parties may rise and fall. But lasting hope will never come from Parliament House. It comes from God alone.
Listen to Bill’s full interview on 20Twenty below:
