Religious freedom in Victoria is again in the spotlight after the Melbourne Royal Show‘s decision to ban a Christian ministry from exhibiting at this year’s event in late September and early October.
For more than a century the Good News Booth has been a welcoming place for families at the show, providing free Bibles and Christian resources without controversy or disruption.
The Answers in Genesis ministry notes the decision comes despite no rules being broken.
ONLY REASON FOR REJECTION IS “BEING CHRISTIAN”
It adds the only reason seems to be that the booth is openly Christian.
It doesn’t appear to be a financial issue because like most exhibitors, the Good News Booth pays up to $10,000 to attend.
Its volunteers said their usual application was rejected by email.
The sole explanation by show officials was that the booth was “religious.”
MELBOURNE ROYAL SHOW’S EXPLANATION FOR CHRISTIAN BAN
It read in part:
After careful consideration and review of patron feedback, we have decided not to offer religious groups exhibition space at the Melbourne Royal Show moving forward.
Therefore, we are unable to progress your application.
Whilst this will not be the news you wish, we would appreciate your understanding and respect for the decision.
PASTOR REJECTS “PATRON FEEDBACK” EXCUSE
A Melbourne pastor, directly involved with the combined church ministry for eight years, told Caldron Pool the excuse for the rejection didn’t match his experience.
To his knowledge, there have never been any formal complaints about the booth and show patrons always seem to give it a warm reception.
Mike Foster, Managing Director of Answers in Genesis Australia said:“This isn’t just about one booth.”
“It’s a disturbing sign that Christian voices are being excluded from public spaces, pushing faith to the margins.”
“If this silence is allowed, what’s next?” he asked.
RESPONSE OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS
Former Victorian MP and Family First Senate candidate Bernie Finn labelled the rejection an “outrageous attack on freedom of religion in Victoria.”
He said it was “a “wake-up call for every Christian, that the right to express our faith is no longer a given.”
Church and State founder, Dave Pellowe said: “Good Christians should now – organically and without coordination or organisation – flood the Melbourne Royal Show with old-fashioned, organic street evangelism.”
LEGAL ACTION POSSIBLE IF PETITION FAILS TO REVERSE BAN
Rod Lampard writes in Caldron Pool that show organisers may have to prove the decision does not breach Victoria’s 2010 Equality Act.
It says “direct discrimination occurs if a person treats, or proposes to treat, a person with an attribute unfavourably, because of that attribute.”
Answers in Genesis has set up a petition calling on the Melbourne Royal Show to reinstate the Good News Booth which will definitely be welcome at both the Royal Geelong and Whittlesea shows.”
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