The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is calling on Victorian Christians to urgently pressure their state MPs to, at the very least, delay the introduction of proposed new anti-vilification laws, also known as hate speech laws, until next year.
It says that would allow more time to effectively lobby against the planned amendments to the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.
The ACL says it will be too late to stop any amendments to the bill if it is introduced this term as planned by the state Attorney General Jaclyn Symes, according to its Victorian Director Jasmine Yuen.
Ms. Yuen told Vision Radio: “I would say if we think that the conversion laws passed in Victoria were bad and draconian, based on what is stated in the Overview Paper, this is even worse, because it is like tentacles that actually span everywhere.”
The ACL has urged the Allan Government to consider the ramifications the proposed changes would have on the Victorian Christian community, and called on the government to consult with all Christian stakeholders before introducing an anti-vilification bill that would “eliminate freedom of religion, speech, expression and thought.”
It appealed to Victoria faith communities “to take five minutes to email the Premier, your local MP and other key Parliamentarians, to keep the pressure on, before the proposed changes are written into law.”
“Please also pass this on to your pastor and friends and urge them to send an email,” it added.
The ACL explained in a statement: “Proposed hate speech laws in Victoria are likely to open the floodgates to Christians being prosecuted.”
”Christians will be at greater risk of prosecution due to the test and areas for vilification being significantly expanded.”
“A much broader range of areas (or attributes) are proposed to be protected against vilification. This includes sexual orientation and gender identity, which increases the risk of activists targeting Christians.”
“Of particular concern to church leaders is the new test for vilification. This is being lowered to include public conduct that is simply likely to incite hatred, contempt, revulsion or ridicule — as opposed to conduct that actually has this effect.”
“It further applies to public conduct considered reasonably likely to be harmful,” the ACL statement continued.
“Of concern to Christian schools and businesses is the fact that conduct can be considered ‘public’ even if it occurs on private property, or at a place not open to the general public.”
”Conduct is also considered ‘public’ if it involves communicating through social media or wearing certain clothing in public.”
“While there are exemptions for genuine religious activities, there is no guarantee preaching and teaching Biblical sexual ethics and biological facts would be protected,” the ACL statement concluded.
Director Jasmine Yuen argued: “This sets a dangerous precedent, introducing a subjective element into the law.”
”Victorians of faith will potentially be stifled, or even prosecuted, for expressing a religious view on Biblical sexual ethics and biology.”
“It opens a door for Christians to be targeted and brought before a tribunal by activists.”
“Christians will be forced to suppress or hide their faith in public, including schools and workplaces, for fear of offending others,” Ms. Yuen continued.
“This is oppressive, robbing a group of Victorians of their freedom of religion, speech and expression.”
”It seems evident that an anti-faith move that seeks to silence the Christian community in Victoria lies at the heart of this law reform.”
“This proposed law has already generated fear and prompted self-censorship among the Christian community, as students at Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew were told to remove their cross necklaces after non-Christian students complained that they are offensive,” the ACL state director observed.
“It has been clearly stated in the Overview Paper that the wearing or display of clothing, signs, flags, emblems and insignia, observable by the public”, including in private property such as schools and workplaces, would amount to vilification if considered offensive by someone.”
“It is our fear that not only the ‘cross,’ but also the Gospel message of sins and forgiveness would soon be deemed vilification under this law.”
Ms. Yuen claimed the incitement and harm-based protections could capture communications in emails or texts which were sent from Interstate.
“If someone outside Victoria was found to be vilifying someone in Victoria with a protected attribute, that person could be prosecuted as well,” she advised.
Claire Lehmann, the founder of the politically non-partisan online magazine of cultural commentary Quillette wrote in The Australian: “If the government’s proposed changes proceed, Victorians will lose their right to free speech, setting a precedent for the entire country.”
“Current anti-vilification legislation in Victoria is restricted to race and religion, which is in line with the rest of the country.”
“But the government wants to expand this law to include a laundry list of additional attributes, including disability, gender identity, sexual characteristics, and sexual orientation.”
“If such an expansion is passed, it will become illegal in Victoria to offend people who are disabled, trans, non-binary or sexually diverse.”
“Maximum prison sentences will be up to three to five years and legal thresholds for what constitutes vilification will be lowered.”
“Currently, one must “incite hatred” to breach the law. Under the proposed changes, however, speech that is “likely to incite” will become a criminal offence.”
“Under such a standard, almost all speech referring to those with protected attributes – regardless of intent or context – could be deemed criminal.”
”This means journalists, writers, comedians, academics, artists and activists will all be open to prosecution.”
Click on the link below to listen to the full interview with the ACL Victorian Director Jasmine Yuen
