Concerns Over Free Speech and Religious Freedom
On 8th May 2026, Family First announced its intention to repeal abortion buffer zone laws in New South Wales and Victoria. Lyle Shelton, the National Director and a candidate for the NSW Legislative Council, leads this initiative.
Shelton argues that these laws criminalise peaceful Christian witness and prayer. He cited a recent case in Northern Ireland involving Clive Johnston, a retired Baptist pastor, to highlight potential issues similar laws could pose in Australia.
Clive Johnston was convicted for preaching near an abortion clinic in Northern Ireland. The Christian Institute, which supports Johnston, reported this incident. Johnston faced charges under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act for holding an open-air service near Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital.
Shelton emphasised, “If Australian law allows Greens founder Bob Brown to chain himself to bulldozers to save trees, Christians should be free to stand peacefully outside facilities where unborn babies are killed and to offer prayers and compassionate support to women who are often coerced into aborting their baby.”
Current Buffer Zone Laws
Buffer zone laws in NSW and Victoria restrict protests and similar activities within 150 meters of abortion facilities. The laws aim to protect patients from harassment and ensure safe access to services. However, Family First contends that existing laws already address harassment and that peaceful activities should not be criminalized.
In 2016, Victoria fined Kathy Clubb, a pro-life advocate, $5,000 for politely attempting to hand a pamphlet to a couple outside a Melbourne abortion clinic. This marked the first prosecution under the state’s buffer zone laws.
Family First candidates will campaign for the repeal of these laws in the upcoming state elections in NSW and Victoria. They advocate for the rights to free speech and religious expression.
Shelton expressed concerns that similar prosecutions could occur in Australia under current laws. He believes Australians should not face criminal sanctions for peaceful prayer or expressing deeply held moral and religious beliefs in public places.
The debate over buffer zones continues to highlight the tension between ensuring safe access to abortion services and protecting free speech rights. Family First is committed to addressing these concerns in their political agenda.
Shelton pointed out that such safe access zones often become censorship zones. He stated, “What’s happened to pastor Johnston in Northern Ireland is chilling and could easily happen here under our flawed laws.”
Family First opposes harassment, intimidation, and abuse of any person. They assert that existing laws already address such issues. According to Shelton, peaceful prayer, preaching, and offers of help should never be treated as criminal acts in a free society.
The party plans to raise these issues during the NSW and Victorian state elections. They aim to repeal laws they see as incompatible with a free society. Australians, Shelton argues, should not face criminal sanctions for expressing their beliefs in public.
