Family Fist: Family First leader’s free-speech case featured in global religious-freedom report
Michael Barnett OAM
Family First leader’s free-speech case featured in global religious-freedom report
MEDIA RELEASE
Family First National Director Lyle Shelton has been internationally recognised for standing up for free speech.
The prestigious Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International Religious Freedom Report 2025, a global Catholic publication documenting persecution and threats to religious liberty in more than 150 countries, highlighted Mr Shelton’s ongoing legal battle:
“In 2023, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) dismissed a complaint against a prominent Christian campaigner, Lyle Shelton, after three years of litigation. The case was brought by an LGBTQ+ group, which was supported by the state government’s LGBTIQ+ Legal Service. The group alleged that Shelton violated the anti-vilification law by publishing blog posts saying drag queens are ‘dangerous role models’ who should not read to children. The group has now appealed this ruling, so the litigation continues.”
That a major Vatican-recognised charity has listed this case alongside global examples of religious repression underlines how serious the erosion of free speech has become in Australia.
The ACN report is not about politics but about conscience. It exposes regimes and legal systems that punish people for expressing beliefs rooted in faith. For an Australian case to appear in this context should shock every citizen who values freedom.
Mr Shelton said the recognition is sobering.
“It shows that when state-funded legal services pursue Christians through tribunals for expressing mainstream moral views, we are heading down the same path as nations that suppress religion outright.”
“Family First has consistently warned that so-called ‘anti-vilification’ laws are being weaponised to silence debate on issues like gender ideology and the protection of children. True tolerance means allowing disagreement—not prosecuting it.”
The inclusion of Lyle Shelton’s case in an international religious-freedom report is a wake-up call: if it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.
“The threats to freedom of speech and freedom of religion in Australia is real because current politicians do not have the courage to push back on flawed anti-discrimination and anti-vilification laws in all states which favour radical anti-free speech political activists. It is why Family First is campaigning hard to win Upper House seats in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales at up-coming elections.”