The Liberal Party’s support for the Labor government’s new antisemitism, hate, and extremism laws has raised concerns for Family First, a political organization advocating for traditional values. National Director Lyle Shelton warned that these laws could lead to the group being classified as a “hate group,” jeopardizing its ability to operate.
Shelton expressed apprehension about the implications of the legislation, stating that it grants the government unprecedented powers to suppress organizations based on claims of “social, economic and psychological harm.” He emphasized that this could lead to unjust criminal proceedings against groups like Family First, which advocates for women’s and children’s rights and opposes mass immigration.
“Now they can claim woolly terms like ‘social, economic and psychological harm’ as justification to launch criminal proceedings against us,” Shelton noted. He criticized the legislation as a significant blow to free speech and religious freedom, claiming that it fails to address the root causes of societal issues, including Islamic extremism.
Shelton elaborated on his experiences, revealing that he has faced legal challenges for six years under existing hate speech laws, which he described as deeply flawed. He further argued that the new legislation would not effectively combat Islamic terrorism but would instead entrap mainstream Australian groups that engage in open discussions about contentious topics, such as LGBTIQA+ child gender clinics and the traditional definition of marriage.
“After some promising signs last week, the Liberals abandoned the fight for freedom of speech and freedom of religion,” Shelton said, referring to what he characterized as a capitulation to the government’s agenda. He commended the Nationals and One Nation for opposing the new hate speech bill, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding free expression.
While critical of the new laws, Shelton welcomed the government’s decision to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir, a group linked to terrorism that is prohibited in many countries, including several Islamic nations. He asserted that organizations that incite violence should be the focus of hate speech laws, rather than groups like Family First, which he believes engages in lawful advocacy.
“Inciting violence is where the line should be drawn when crafting hate speech laws,” Shelton stated. He lamented that laws against inciting violence have not been reinforced since certain activist groups began supporting Hamas following the events of October 7.
In light of these developments, Family First is preparing to contest elections in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. Shelton confirmed that candidates will be advocating for the repeal of the anti-free speech provisions embedded within state-based hate speech laws, aiming to restore the principles of free expression in Australia.
The ongoing debate over hate speech laws underscores the tension between protecting vulnerable communities and safeguarding the rights of individuals and organizations to express dissenting opinions. As the political landscape evolves, the impact of these laws on the broader societal discourse remains to be seen.
