ACL Head slams WA government over 'discrimination' on venue policy

Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Martyn Iles has slammed the McGowan government over its “discrimination” in blocking the ACL from hiring a publicly owned entertainment venue.

The Perth Theatre Trust told Mr Iles he couldn't access the Albany Entertainment Centre, and Perth Concert Hall for events, because the ACL had "politically motivated objectives".

Mr Iles said he believed the policy is "unlawful" based on the Western Australia Equal Opportunity Act.

"They have hosted political events in the past therefore they cannot discriminate against people who want to hire the public venue on the basis of political conviction or religious conviction – that's the Western Australia Equal Opportunity Act," he told Sky News.

"For a government to actually go so far as to say that everyone who disagrees with us is cancelled from all public venues is a huge problem.

"Because the Constitution binds federal and state governments to not encroach upon the freedom of political communication amongst electors in a democratic society.

"That's what this does, it says any political communication that isn't Mark McGowan's political communication is censored from key public venues.

"I think that clearly it's a case of discrimination and clearly it's a case of government stepping outside of what it ought to be."

[JessE-ztbu]

ACL should have grounds to sue WA government, this is clearly a case of discrimination.

[RileySoares]

No dialogue allowed - authoritarianism is on the rise. God help us

[robynreid]

Absolutely disgusting behaviour on the part of the WA government regardless of what you believe.

[jaimewalker]

So glad to hear you are following this up! Big mistake from W.A goverment .😡

[seizethediaz]

Praying for all Australian christians. May they succeed and may this authoritarian government be shown the truth. In Jesus name I pray. Keep fighting for your right for the freedom to worship. Mr. McGowan you will not succeed, you must repent.

[howarddean]

The Labour government dose not represent my views as a West Australian. Absolutely disgusting.

[heidijoyce]

Prayers for the ACL and all those walking in the light 🙏🏻

[kamifit]

This is completely unjust and shows you how evil the government is

[putridreviews]

People need to read the gulag archipelago

[wyattfamily]

(Article 19) United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, : "Everyone has the right to feedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

[debskibebski]

State Governments don’t object to taking Christians taxes.

[georgiesmith]

No discrimination to anyone oh except Christians 😒 how ridiculous
Lord rescue us soon ❤️

[alansharp]

It’s a public building owned by the people of WA, not the fascist labour parties and their cronies

[Chrisplumbgas]

Clive will chip in for this one, he hates wa government for canceling him.

[strategos]

Sounds like WA is now under the jackboot of Chairman Mao McGowan.

[naturewoman]

Disgusting ACL have every right to use the venue

[imantifeminism]

I'm a big supporter of ACL if they lose the case against these rogue dictators then all supporters of the ACL & their leaders should go on big protests nationwide, I Hope they win, Good on you ACL keep fighting you're not alone, LONG LIVE ACL 👍👍❤

[serviusm]

I would like to thank every Australian for looking at the Soviet Union and saying let's have that. I can understand why the people formerly in the Warsaw pact seemed so depressed and apathetic.
Only approved idealogy is allowed and people need permission to move around. My faith in this nation is gone forever

[regular_guys]

Definitely make a legal challenge against WA government.

[paulroberts]

They can't eliminate religions but they can hold you back why