One minute Matthew Squires was a candidate in the New South Wales state election.

Within days he was disendorsed and out of a job.

All because he was open about his political and religious opinions, shared online.

A man with a young family with his career crushed and his livelihood lost.

Another Christian target of cancel culture.

It’s a story that’s become all too familiar and cases like Matthew’s are why HRLA exists.

While the endorsement of a candidate is a matter for political parties, it’s alarming that a targeted media frenzy can cause this much harm.

Much more troubling, though, is for Matthew to lose his job in what is a clear violation of protected rights of speech and religion.

HRLA is assisting Matthew with his appeal to the Federal Circuit and Family Court under the Fair Work Act, and it’s going to trial next year.

Matthew’s case is an important reminder of the dangers of cancel culture, a regime where freedom of speech and religion is stifled.

In recent days, after the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, we’ve seen a frenzy of cancellations online and in the workplace.

But the principle of free speech is one that must be upheld even when we disagree.

Threatening or celebrating violence is, of course, unacceptable.

But free speech remains a fundamental right, even for offensive opinions.

This is what Charlie Kirk believed in. This is what he worked so hard to defend. And this is what is so critical to everyday citizens living and working in modern Australia.

Because if we don’t defend free speech, it’s not big corporations and ideologues who will pay the price.

It is ordinary Australians like you, me, and Matthew.