After six years of litigation, I’ve suffered a significant setback in the drag queen vilification case brought against me for speaking out about child protection.
Many supporters will remember that in 2023 I was exonerated by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. But the drag queens immediately appealed.
Last week the appeal tribunal handed down its decision, setting aside the earlier ruling. That means I must now return to court.
The alternative would be to allow free speech to be trampled—not just mine, but that of other Australians. My case had already set an important precedent that helped secure other free speech victories. The activists pursuing this case, backed by taxpayer-funded lawyers, have relentlessly pursued me.
This decision means the case will now move into its seventh year of litigation.
While deeply disappointing, it is important to note that the appeal ruling makes no findings against me. But make no mistake: the activists behind this case want to punish and silence those who question their ideology.
This saga began in 2020 when I wrote several blog posts criticising a Drag Queen Story Time event held at a Brisbane City Council library.
My concern then—as now—was child protection.
I believe children should not be exposed to sexualised role models or to gender-fluid ideology at such a young age. In my blog posts, I reproduced material taken from the drag performers’ own public social media accounts (see below). Some of that material promoted gender-fluid ideology and its lifelong consequences. Some simply reflected the worldview commonly promoted by LGBTQIA+ drag culture.
I've posted some of this material here - not to be gratuitous, but to simply bring to awareness about the character of the role models LGBTQA+ political activists want your children exposed to.
My articles questioned whether activists promoting radical gender ideology and sexual expression were appropriate role models for children.
Those posts triggered complaints that have entangled me in this long-running legal battle.
Australia’s anti-discrimination and anti-vilification laws—often described as “hate speech laws”—are deeply flawed. They allow the process itself to become the punishment, dragging people through years of costly litigation simply for expressing views on matters of public interest.
The chilling effect is obvious. Many Australians now remain silent on controversial issues for fear of being hauled before a tribunal.
After six years of legal proceedings, I have now received two completely different judgments. If courts themselves cannot agree on the legal standard, how can ordinary Australians possibly know where the line is?
This case is about far more than me. It goes to the heart of whether Australians remain free to raise concerns about child protection and other contested cultural issues without facing years in court.
I want to thank my lawyer John Steenhof and his outstanding team at the Human Rights Law Alliance, along with other lawyers who have generously supported my defence.
I am also deeply grateful to those who have donated to help cover the enormous legal costs. Like most Australians, my family does not have the resources to fund prolonged litigation. Unlike my opponents, my legal team receives no taxpayer support.
Next month Australians will gather on Anzac Day to honour those who fought and died for our freedoms.
Our political leaders should reflect on why they are presiding over laws that undermine those very freedoms.
I am not alone in facing legal threats for speaking out. Sall Grover, Kirralie Smith, Jasmine Sussex and Dr Jillian Spencer are among others who have been dragged into legal battles under these flawed laws.
None of us who grew up in this great country expected our political class to abandon free speech so easily.
My message to politicians who refuse to repeal these laws is simple:
If you will not defend our freedoms, please don’t go to Anzac Day ceremonies and pretend to honour those who did.
A final note: This case is likely to run for many more years. If you would like to contribute to my legal defence, you can make a donation to my lawyers - the Human Rights Law Alliance. I'm grateful to so many of you have already contributed. God bless.