ACL: Seize the Opportunity. Ask the Hard Questions. Make a Difference.
Michael Barnett OAM
News Item
Seize the Opportunity. Ask the Hard Questions. Make a Difference.
The Victorian Legislative Council is more than just the Upper House—it’s the House of Review.
It scrutinises legislation, holds the Government to account, and often determines whether controversial laws pass or fail.
This term, no party has held a majority in the Legislative Council. As a result, the Government has relied on crossbench parties—including the Victorian Greens, Legalise Cannabis Victoria and the Animal Justice Party—to secure the numbers needed to pass legislation.
With this November’s election expected to produce another unpredictable Parliament, the composition of the Upper House will be more important than ever. The Members elected to the Legislative Council could hold the balance of power and play a decisive role in shaping Victoria’s future.
The Upper House is where legislation is reviewed, amended and, at times, stopped altogether.
We’ve seen firsthand how important this is. During the current term of Parliament, ACL has worked alongside Members of the Legislative Council to advocate for important changes, including:
- Retaining the Lord’s Prayer in Parliament
- Protecting conscientious objection provisions in the Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation
- Securing parliamentary debate on the Rainbow Toolkit guidelines in public libraries and other gender ideology issues
- Strengthening scrutiny of the Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion legislation
That’s why these forums matter.
Hosted jointly by the Australian Christian Lobby, Family Voice Australia, and Young Conservatives for Christ, these Upper House Candidate Forums are one of the few opportunities before the election to hear directly from Legislative Council candidates.
Come and ask the hard questions, hear where candidates stand on the issues that matter most, and make an informed decision for your family, your faith, and the future of Victoria.
Don’t wait until election day to find out who you’re voting for. Join us, bring your family and friends, and be part of shaping Victoria’s future.
Upper House Candidate Forums
Save the dates and bring your family and friends.
- 1 September | 7:00–9:00 pm — Eastern Victoria Region (Hastings)
- 2 September | 7:00–9:00 pm — South-Eastern Metropolitan Region (Cranbourne East)
- 16 September | 7:00–9:00 pm — Northern Victoria Region (Bendigo)
- 22 September | 7:00–9:00 pm — Northern Metropolitan Region (Westmeadows)
- 23 September | 7:00–9:00 pm — Western Victoria Region (Highton)
- 30 September | 7:00–9:00 pm — Western Metropolitan Region (Werribee)
- Southern Metropolitan Region — Date to be confirmed
The decisions made in the Upper House over the next four years will have a profound impact on the Christian community, our faith, our families, and every Victorian. Don’t miss your chance to hear from the candidates, ask the hard questions, and cast an informed vote.
Support the Campaign
If you want to see an end to gender ideology being taught in Victorian schools, we need your help to make it a key election issue.
Donate for change today: https://donate.acl.org.au/vic_election_2026
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JAYDGmdza/
State Director | VIC