The Christmas and New Year season is always an important time to look back and reflect on the last twelve months.

Christmas is, of course, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and it is no small thing that in Australia this Christian holiday is a national holiday. It is a reminder of the Christian roots of Australian society, and of the great freedoms people of faith have enjoyed here.

While the Christmas Day public holiday isn’t in any danger, the rights of people of faith to express and practice their beliefs has come under threat over the last year, and as we take stock we are reminded of why HRLA exists.

This year HRLA worked with many Australians who have lost jobs, faced complaints, and had their lives thrown into turmoil because they spoke about the teachings of their faith, or raised questions about biological reality.

We were disappointed by the loss in the case of Jereth Kok, but it makes us more determined than ever to work hard for Jasmine Sussex, Jillian Spencer, and Matthew Squires. Each of these cases will continue building up next year.

We also had some big wins this year for Tony the chef, and a Sydney foster family who was finally given full-time care of three-year-old Charlie. And we continue to represent everyday Australians like Ryan.

We are unable to do any of this without your support, so we are grateful for the ordinary people who have made contributions, promoted HRLA’s work, and helped support our clients. Defending freedom is a team effort that goes far beyond the four walls of the HRLA offices.

We hope all our supporters enjoy time with family and friends this Christmas, and perhaps a chance to enjoy the summer weather, and as we celebrate the coming of Christ, we embrace the new beginning and fresh opportunities the coming year gives us.