Brad Hazzard orders Hillsong to stop singing at outdoor youth camp

The Hillsong megachurch has been told to ‘pull the pin’ on singing and dancing at an outdoor summer youth camp after they shared social media footage of their activities. WATCH THE VIDEO

Hillsong megachurch has been told to pull the pin on a youth summer camp currently underway in Newcastle, after organisers were informed the event is in breach of strict public health orders.

It came as Health Minister Brad Hazzard declared he was “horrified” at videos posted to social media showing hundreds of teenagers singing and dancing during a rock-style evening worship service.

It’s understood the organisers of Hillsong’s Wildlife summer camp, for schoolchildren in years 10-12, have been told the event is in breach of a public health order banning singing and dancing at major recreation facilities.

Hillsong has come under fire for hosting its Wildlife Summercamp, where large crowds of young people have been seen singing and dancing.

Current Covid restrictions have banned singing and dancing in hospitality venues, entertainment facilities, and major recreation sites.

It’s understood that NSW Health believes the venue used for the Hillsong camp is a facility where singing and dancing is currently banned.

Under the public health orders, occupiers of a “recreation facility (major)” legally required to ensure crowds do not sing, or dance.

The maximum penalty for such a breach is $11,000 (and six months imprisonment) for an individual, and up to $55,000 for a corporation.

Images have been shared on Instagram showing large crowds at the event.

Health authorities scrambled to address the potential Covid breach on Thursday night, after videos of the event posted by Hillsong’s youth arm circulated on social media.

NSW Health said it had requested Hillsong “immediately stop singing and dancing” at the camp.

Mr Hazzard said he was appalled and that Hillsong needed to “pull the pin on this event”.

He accused Hillsong of having a “total disregard” for restrictions imposed on the community over the past two years.

“If they have no regard for their congregation I’m stunned, but I’m appalled at their preparedness to potentially add even more people into our hospitals, putting enormous additional pressure on our frontline health workers,” he said.

Singing is allowed at church services but not in recreational venues.

In a statement, Hillsong insisted the camp followed “strict Covid procedures” and adhered “to government guidelines”.

“These events are our annual high school aged youth camps, and are not similar to a music festival in any way,” the church said.

“Outdoor Christian services are held during the camp but these are only a small part of the program, and any singing is only a small part of each service,” the statement said.

Hillsong said the footage only showed a few minutes of a longer program at the festival.

The church said a video showing attendees singing and dancing only reflected “a few minutes” of the program.

There is no ban on singing and dancing in church services, a policy which NSW Health has previously defended.

However it is understood that video of the Hillsong camp, bearing similarities to a rock concert or music festival, had infuriated authorities.

The youth camp went ahead despite a spate of music festivals being cancelled due to a ban on crowds singing along with performers.

Labor’s music spokesman John Graham said if the music performances had been held in a music venue, they would be illegal.

“How is this safe or fair?” he asked

“Gigs have been cancelled, artists are out of work, venues have closed because of state government restrictions that ban dancing and singing,” he said.

“We are calling for consistent rules and support for venues closed by Covid restrictions.”