TheAustralian Christian Lobby (ACL) has congratulated Canadian gender activist Chris Elston, also known as ‘Billboard Chris,’ on his legal victory over Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
ACL CEO Michelle Pearse said: “This ruling by the Administrative Review Tribunal marks a significant victory for free speech in Australia, reaffirming the right to express views grounded in biological reality and moral conviction without government censorship.”
Chris Elston posted: “We won! Together with X, we just defeated Australia’s government in a huge victory for free speech!”
“The eSafety Commissioner’s effort to censor me and to demand that X complies has failed.”
“This sets an important precedent. Congratulations, Australia! 
“
WHAT THE CASE WAS ABOUT
The Tribunal struck down a government order that sought to censor one of Mr. Elston’s posts on social media platform X, under Australia’s Online Safety Act.
ADF international which represented Mr. Elston in conjunction with the Australian-based Human Rights Law Alliance, wrote:
“His February 2024 post criticised the appointment of controversial WHO “expert” appointee Teddy Cook, and referred to her with biologically accurate pronouns.”
“Elston’s post was deemed “cyber abuse” by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, which ordered X to remove the content.”
“X initially refused, and later geo-blocked the post in Australia.”
“eSAFETY COMMISSIONER WAS WRONG TO CENSOR POST AS CYBER ABUSE”
Both Elon Musk’s X and Mr. Elston, who campaigns globally against transgender treatments for children, challenged the order, arguing that the censorship was a violation of the fundamental right to free speech.
The Tribunal found that the eSafety Commissioner made the wrong decision in determining Mr. Elston’s post was “cyber abuse” and set aside the decision.
Deputy president Damien O’Donovan said he was not satisfied that the post met “the statutory definition of cyber-abuse material targeted at an Australian adult”.
“This is a decisive win for free speech and sets an important precedent in the growing global debate over online censorship,” said ADF International Executive Director Paul Coleman.
“A VICTORY FOR EVERY AUSTRALIAN”
“In this case, the Australian government alarmingly censored the peaceful expression of a Canadian citizen on an American-owned platform.”
“It’s evidence of the expansive reach of censorial forces, even beyond national borders. Today, free speech has prevailed,”
“This is a victory not just for ‘Billboard Chris’, but for every Australian, and indeed every citizen who values the fundamental right to free speech,” Mr. Coleman proclaimed.
eSAFETY COMMISSIONER’S RESPONSE TO DECISION
High profile Melbourne lawyer Justin Quill who represented Elon Musk’s X also hailed the decision as a win for free speech.
“It seems clear this is another example of the eSafety Commissioner overreaching in her role and making politically motivated decisions to moderate what she considers Australians should and shouldn’t read and hear from the outside world,” he said.
Julie Inman Grant’s office said in a statement: “eSafety welcomes the guidance provided by the Tribunal on the statutory test for adult cyber abuse.”
“We will continue to take seriously the responsibility of remediating and protecting Australians from serious online harms.”
ACL CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO AFFIRM COMMITMENT TO FREE SPEECH
ACL CEO Michelle Pearse added: “It is crucial that honest, robust, public debate can take place about the trans movement’s attempts to redefine the meaning of gender, reshape medical standards, and influence laws and policies that affect children, families, and society.”
“Online forums are a critical piece in this debate. Silencing genuine public concern through censorship not only undermines democratic freedoms, but also shuts down the very dialogue needed to protect truth and the common good.”
The ACL called on the Albanese government to affirm its commitment to free speech by confining the role of the eSafety Commissioner to addressing genuine cases of cyberbullying.
“This case concerned the fundamental principles of democracy — and in this instance, we celebrate that democratic freedoms have prevailed in Australia,” Ms. Pearse declared.
‘MY POST SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CENSORED IN AUSTRALIA”
Chris Elston said in a statement: “This decision sends a clear message that the government does not have authority to silence peaceful expression.”
“My mission is to speak the truth about gender ideology, protecting children across the world from its dangers.”
“With this ruling, the court has upheld my right to voice my convictions — a right that belongs to every one of us.”
“My post should never have been censored in Australia, but my hope is that authorities will now think twice before resorting to censorship.”
“GROWING CONCERN OVER AUSTRALIA’S CENSORSHIP POWERS”
ADF International noted: “The ruling comes amid growing international concern over the Australian government’s expansive censorship powers.”
“In May, the US State Department condemned the eSafety Commissioner’s actions as part of a broader global trend toward coercive state censorship.”
