Christians denied Liberal Party membership vow to fight back against ‘offensive and discriminatory’ exclusion campaign

Christians denied membership of the state Liberal Party are vowing to fight back against an “offensive and discriminatory” exclusion campaign, threatening legal action.

Christians denied Liberal Party membership are vowing to fight back against the “offensive and discriminatory” exclusion campaign, threatening legal action and demanding an explanation from the state executive.

They say the party should instead focus on its shortcomings in representing the views of conservative voters.

The state executive voted last week to conduct an “audit” of new members to weed out people it did not want, following a recruitment drive by Senator Alex Antic and the conservative wing.

State director Sascha Meldrum wrote to new applicants to tell them they had been denied membership.

The letter is understood to have been sent to more than 100 people, while another 400 have been asked to prove why they should be allowed to remain.

Liberal Senator Alex Antic. Picture: Morgan Sette

Pentecostal pastor Rob Norman, whose membership was also denied, said in a statement the conservative Christian movement was independent and unbeholden to factions. Picture: Nat Thompson

Senior Liberals said the state executive took action after it was confronted with allegations new members were going to campaign against endorsed candidates at the next election.

One ejected member, who did not wish to be named, told The Advertiser she lodged her membership application in late May.

She said she immediately received an email confirming it had been received and that a membership card and receipt would be posted within six weeks.

But, last Friday, a subsequent email from Ms Meldrum said her application had been rejected and, if she wished to reapply, she must provide a statutory declaration to prove her support for the party’s objectives.

The woman said she was a conservative Christian and was disappointed by the abortion and voluntary assisted dying legislation that had recently passed state parliament.

Those issues had spurred her to join the party but she had not been approached or asked by anyone to become a member, she said.

The woman said she felt so aggrieved by her exclusion she was now considering legal action.

“I don’t usually get involved in those things but I think it’s extremely undemocratic to conduct a party or a process like this,” she said.

“They have no idea who I am or what I’m about.”

Another member, who said he would be required to prove his commitment in order to remain, said he was hopeful the party would reconsider its position but he would litigate “if it became the only option”.

“It’s an offensive and discriminatory position which the party generals have taken,” he said.

“So, in the interest of protecting our democratic process … this just can’t be accepted.”

Pentecostal pastor Rob Norman, whose membership was also denied, said in a statement the conservative Christian movement was independent and unbeholden to factions.

“Participating in Australia’s political system, within the established structures and processes, is the right of every Australian regardless of race, gender, religion or ideology,” he said.

In a speech to the Senate on Tuesday evening, Senator Antic apologised to the Christian community of South Australia “for the events of last week”.

“There are many like-minded people in South Australian politics, like me, who value you, your communities and your contribution to our state and our country,” he said.

“If we are to ensure that Australia remains a truly inclusive democracy then Christians cannot be allowed to be thrown to the lions in the arena of politics.”

Originally published as Christians denied Liberal Party membership vow to fight back against ‘offensive and discriminatory’ exclusion campaign