The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner recently accepted a complaint against the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), claiming that some of its federal election material was “offensive, humiliating, intimidating, insulting or ridiculing” on the basis of gender and gender identity.
The ACL’s supporters have labelled the accusations as “ridiculous”, but the organisation’s leaders still have to front up to a legal hearing and prepare a potentially costly defence.
Here’s how its boss explained the facts of the complaint; the potential devastating impact on free speech; and the need for help, both financial and spiritual, in a message to its supporters:
By Michelle Pearse, ACL Chief Executive
Free speech in Australia just hit a dangerous new low. We’re the proof.
We’ve won many battles for religious freedom. But this one is different.
Last week, we posted this warning:
“If quoting policy and sharing widely-held medical concerns is now grounds for investigation, freedom of speech in this country is not just under pressure – it’s in peril.”
Within days, 3,000+ Australians had shared our disbelief that democracy had come to this.
Because yes, we’re under formal investigation by Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
Our crime? Telling voters what politicians promised.
What We Actually Did
During the federal election, we distributed flyers quoting the Greens’ policies verbatim, such as:
“Ensure gender-affirming care is free and publicly accessible”, and “make gender-affirming healthcare a permanent part of Medicare”.
We expressed concern about irreversible treatments for confused youth.
Sweden, Finland and the UK have halted these procedures. Queensland pressed pause.
Our Family Court found Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital was pushing ideology, not medicine.
For this, we’re accused of being “offensive, humiliating, intimidating, insulting or ridiculing.”
Meanwhile, Tasmania openly bankrolls a festival featuring inverted crosses and satanic theatre.
One supporter captured it: “So we can read a policy but we can’t quote it? Ridiculous.”
The Process Is the Punishment
You deserve to speak freely. But watch the pattern:
Jasmine Sussex stated “men can’t breastfeed.” Result: expelled and facing tribunal.
Dr. Jillian Spencer questioned youth gender treatments. Result: stood down for “transphobia.”
Lyle Shelton questioned drag queen story time. Result: five years in court.
Now us, for quoting election policies.
You or your Christian friends could be next.
The tragedy? Even when people win, the process itself is the punishment.
Years of stress. Hefty legal bills. The message: speak up, pay up.
When facts become “vilification,” we’re no longer living in a free society.
Your Move
This isn’t about Left or Right. It’s about whether Australians can question what’s happening in society without facing legal retaliation.
We’ve defended chaplains, protected faith schools, preserved parental rights — and won.
But this precedent threatens everyone who dares think differently.
Scripture reminds us: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”– Isaiah 1:17
This is our moment. Because if quoting politicians becomes a crime, silence becomes law!
Your gift helps us fight to:
- Defeat this dangerous precedent
- Keep elections about ideas, not lawsuits
- Ensure political criticism remains legal
- Protect every Australian’s voice
Tasmania votes soon. If we lose, politicians everywhere will know they can silence critics.
Not every state has fallen. WA has no such laws. SA limits them to racial vilification.
But Tasmania and Queensland have turned “offence” into a weapon.
If we can’t quote politicians’ own words, what can we say?
Standing for your freedom to speak.
Michelle Pearse
PS: When quoting policy becomes a crime, silence becomes mandatory. Not on our watch.
