Today the closing submissions were made in the Billboard Chris hearings at the Australian Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), bringing an end to the week-long trial in this landmark international free speech and censorship case.

Chris Elston’s posts about a transgender-identifying woman appointed to a role on a UN expert panel drew the ire of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, who ordered the post be taken down and geoblocked for Australian internet users.

Chris, an activist known around the world, has taken the Commissioner to the ART to have the censorship lifted. He was backed by the social media platform X, which complied with the Commissioner’s order, but vowed to support Chris.

The hearings have brought international attention to Australia’s censorious internet regulation and while the outcome will have direct implications for Australia, it also highlights the threats to free speech throughout the west.

Freedom of speech is protected by the ICCPR and is a crucial and fundamental right around the world.

Chris told the Tribunal: “My goal is not to provoke outrage. My goal is to simply try to educate people, and encourage discussion. I want everyone to think for themselves.”

He also defended his challenges to transgender activism by saying: “It’s damaging to teach children they are born in the wrong body … children are beautiful just as they are. No drugs or scalpels needed.”

Chris has been supported by ADF International along with HRLA. ADF International have provided extensive coverage of the hearings, which has attracted international media attention.

The decision has been reserved, and as we await the outcome HRLA will continue to support Chris and defend the right of all Australians to speak truth freely.