Legal Pressures on Religious Communities
Victorians are increasingly self-censoring their speech due to legal pressures under the Allan government. Jane Foreman from Family First highlights the impact of anti-vilification laws and provisions in the Equal Opportunity Act on free expression.
Anti-vilification laws create a challenging environment for those holding mainstream views on family, faith, and biology. Foreman asserts that these laws have led to a chilling effect on free speech and religious freedoms across the state.
Religious schools, which serve hundreds of thousands of families across Victoria, face ongoing legal pressure over their right to employ staff who share their values and ethos. When a Christian school declines to hire a teacher whose lifestyle contradicts its faith, it faces the prospect of anti-discrimination action.
Foreman Advocates for Legal Reforms
Jane Foreman is calling for the repeal of laws that she believes criminalize everyday speech. This includes subjective vilification and hate speech provisions. She also seeks legislative protection for religious schools in hiring practices and the repeal of the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021.
Foreman stated, “Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are not fringe issues for a small minority. They are the foundations on which every other freedom rests.”
Family First aims to restore rights by advocating for the repeal of laws that, according to Foreman, limit the freedoms of mainstream Victorians of faith. The party believes in ensuring that all individuals can express their views without fear of legal repercussions.
On 14 June 2026, Jane Foreman emphasised the urgent need for legislative changes. She asserted, “When governments start deciding which views are acceptable and which are not, we are all in danger, regardless of which side of any debate we sit on.”
Foreman and Family First are committed to changing the political landscape in Victoria. They believe that tolerance should be extended to all, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims who wish to live by their convictions.
“Free speech only means something if it protects the speech you disagree with. Anything less is not freedom, it’s a permission slip,” Foreman remarked, highlighting the need for comprehensive legal reform.
Family First’s mission is to restore the primacy of the family in public policy. They aim to achieve this through grassroots political efforts that raise courageous voices in Australia’s parliaments, advocating for the rights of all citizens.
