HRLA has been on the forefront in protecting freedom of speech and freedom of religion in Australia. Although there is a long way to go, every win overseas brings hope that the legal and cultural tide may turn here too.

In February, HRLA reported on a major win in court for a Christian school worker after she was fired for social media posts raising concerns about sex education and transgender ideology being taught in her son’s primary school.

Since then, the school worker, Kristie Higgs, has enjoyed another free speech win, after the Supreme Court refused to hear the school’s appeal against the decision.

Though a positive outcome, the Higgs case, which dragged on for 6 years, showing that often the process itself is the punishment.

These long court cases result in delayed justice, growing legal costs, and a huge amount of stress for those going through it.

HRLA has assisted numerous ordinary Australians through similar processes in Australia.

For example, Dr Jereth Kok, who was suspended from practising medicine for personal religious and political views expressed on private social media accounts. His case has also dragged on for over 6 years, and we await a judgement in his case after the trial concluded in October last year.

And Lyle Shelton, who was sued under Queensland’s anti-vilification laws for comments about drag queens and the sexualisation of children. He won the case in the first instance, but is now being dragged through an appeal more than five years since he made his comments.

Just as Kristie Higgs’ case is an important precedent for free speech in Britain, wins for Jereth and Lyle would establish a landmark precedent for the future of free speech in Australia. 

That’s why these cases are so important. 

Our hope is that through these cases we will see a return to the fundamental principle of free speech and freedom of religion in Australia.

Speaking the truth is not discriminatory. All Australians have the fundamental right to practice their faith and express their opinions without fear of legal action or professional consequences.