SA Liberal Party backs down on move to exclude conservative Christians from becoming members

After a turbulent week, conservatives say the state Liberal Party has backed away from a move to exclude some Pentecostal Christians from becoming members.

The state Liberal Party has backed away from a move to exclude conservative Christians from becoming members, conservatives say.

But the party says it has never expelled or suspended members, nor moved to do so, and an independent investigation is now underway.

After a turbulent week of factional warfare, the issue was expected to come to a head at a meeting of the state council due to take place Saturday.

Senator Alex Antic says the state Liberal Party has backed down on a move to exclude conservative Christians from becoming members. Picture: Morgan Sette

However, Senator Alex Antic said the party’s state executive would no longer require 550 members to sign statutory declarations affirming their support and reasons for joining.

Instead, an investigation will take place into allegations and issues relating to the membership process without focusing on a particular group of members.

Tensions have been escalating after the state executive last week refused the memberships of 150 applicants and put 400 members on notice, requiring them to sign declarations.

That decision came after a recruitment drive by conservatives through largely Christian communities.

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.

Senator Antic, who spearheaded the recruitment drive, said on Friday the party had been forced to back away from its stance.

“The position adopted by the left faction-controlled state executive last week was tone deaf and inconsistent with the principles of the Liberal Party,” he said.

“The reversal of the decision serves as a reminder that the Liberal Party belongs to its membership, not the other way around.”

It is the state executive held discussions about the matter on Thursday night, after several conservative Liberal MPs this week spoke out against the policy.

SA Liberal Party president Legh Davis said the party was now conducting inquiries.

“An investigation is underway and the party will not be accepting membership applications until the investigation is complete,” he said.

He said its position has remained the same, and it has not suspended or expelled any members – nor moved to do so.

“The steps that have been agreed to are not focused on the faith of an individual or a specific church, but relate to the conduct of individuals which, if proven, may breach the party’s constitution,” he said.

“Any person who clearly supports the party’s constitutional objectives and endorsed candidates will be welcomed as a member.”

Originally published as SA Liberal Party backs down on move to exclude conservative Christians from becoming members