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Two-tier justice: seven years in court for protecting children, no consequences for "take up arms" rhetoric -- Shelton

Family First Party

Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton says Australia is operating a two-tier justice system that must change: he is now in the seventh year of a legal ordeal for saying two LGBTQA+ drag queens were “dangerous role models for children”, while a Muslim preacher can quote texts urging Muslims to “take up arms” against Christians and Jews and, so far, face no legal consequences.

 

“What I said incited no violence, yet I’ve been the subject of seven years of relentless litigation,” Mr Shelton said.

 

“But a Muslim hate preacher can preach from Islamic texts inciting violence and so far be subject to no consequences.

 

“Make it make sense.

 

“In 2020 I wrote that two LGBTQA+ drag queens were dangerous role models for children after they performed at a Drag Queen Story Time event for two-to-eight-year-olds in a Brisbane City Council library.

 

“DQST is about inducting children into queer culture which is sexualised and gender fluid culture.

 

“For calling that out, I have been hauled through the Queensland Human Rights Commission, a three-day trial in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, a drawn-out appeal and more than half a million dollars in legal fees.

 

“The complainants have been backed by taxpayer-funded lawyers. I have had to crowdfund my defence and rely on generous pro-bono legal work. No final finding of vilification has ever been made against me, yet the process itself has been the punishment.

 

“Meanwhile, Melbourne preacher Abu Ahmad can speak of an obligation ‘to take up arms against his enemies’ and tell followers not to take ‘the Jews and the Christians for friends’ — and there have been no legal consequences.

 

“That is not equal justice. Australians can see it. Parents can see it. And they are entitled to ask why speaking up to protect children is treated as ‘hate speech’ under our law, while rhetoric about taking up arms against Jews and Christians is explained away.”

 

Mr Shelton on Monday called on the Australian Federal Police to investigate Abu Ahmad after media reports highlighted the July sermon. Abu Ahmad has since said his comments were a reference to a book passage and were “not a personal call” to attack Christians, Jews or other non-Muslims.

 

“That explanation should be considered as part of the AFP’s investigation,” Mr Shelton said. “Religious freedom must be protected in Australia, but it cannot become a shield for incitement to violence.”

 

Mr Shelton welcomed the Australian National Imams Council’s subsequent condemnation of the rhetoric. ANIC president Imam Shadi Alsuleiman said the council “strongly and unequivocally” condemned any religious or non-religious leader calling on people to take up arms against civilians, religious communities or Australians.

 

“This is the kind of clear statement Australians needed to hear from senior Muslim leaders, and I welcome Imam Alsuleiman’s condemnation,” Mr Shelton said.

 

“Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of every faith or none should be able to live peacefully in Australia without threats of violence. I commend Imam Alsuleiman and ANIC for drawing that distinction clearly.

 

“But condemnation after the fact is not enough if the law is applied selectively. If Australia still believes in one law for all, the AFP must investigate this sermon properly, and our parliaments must stop weaponising so-called hate-speech laws against ordinary Australians who raise legitimate concerns about children.

 

“I am standing for the NSW Legislative Council because this two-tier system has to end. Freedom of speech is not a privilege granted to some identities and denied to others. Without it, we are not free.”

 

 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Lyle Shelton, Family First National Director

Email: [email protected]

Contact details:

[email protected]