Controversial Liberal Party candidate Renee Heath says she’s ‘no agent of church’

Liberal candidate Renee Heath has denied supporting extreme church practices and still hopes to work with Matthew Guy despite his promise to boot her.

Controversial Liberal candidate Renee Heath says she hopes to work closely with Matthew Guy following Saturday’s election, despite the Opposition Leader promising to boot her from the party.

Mr Guy said this week Ms Heath would not be welcome in the Liberal partyroom after her links to the City Builders Church were again raised in the media.

Speaking exclusively to the Herald Sun, Ms Heath denied claims she was a supporter of gay conversion therapy and other extreme practices.

“It has been alleged that I am an agent of the church. I am not,” Ms Heath said.

“I am a 36-year-old chiropractor whose main interests are getting the health system back on track and getting the government out of our lives.”

Ms Heath said her views aligned with those of the Liberal Party, including a firm belief in the separation of church and state.

“My faith is personal,” she said.

“I stand both by my position as a person of faith and as a Member of the Liberal Party.

“If it is not possible to be a member of a Christian Church and a parliamentary representative at the same time then Australia is at the crossroads of becoming an intolerant society where we have effectively expunged freedom of religion and association.

“John Curtin and Sir Robert Menzies would turn in their graves at the kind of society we are in danger of becoming if we continue down this path.”

Liberal Party candidate Renee Heath. Picture: Facebook

Ms Heath said as practising Catholics, both Daniel Andrews and Anthony Albanese would be precluded from parliament if being a member of a Church that has formal teachings about both termination and marriage were a barrier to being a parliamentary representative.

“This would also be the case for adherents of the Islamic, Jewish and many other faiths,” she said.

“It is not to be forgotten that Julia Gillard and Penny Wong were early opponents of marriage equality and that Paul Keating opposed the Dying with Dignity legislation.

“I am proud to be a practising Christian and person of faith and a member of the Liberal Party at the same time. These views are not irreconcilable.

“In fact, freedom of religion is a fundamental value of the Liberal Party and of this country.”

The Herald Sun first reported in May concerns that the City Builders Church was working to infiltrate Victorian politics, with members encouraged to fill branches of mainstream political parties.

Concerns about Ms Heath’s involvement with the church surfaced again this week after her sister, Clare, spoke with 60 Minutes.

Brian Heath told the Herald Sun his love for Clare, and her family, was unconditional.

“I cannot agree with their account of the past, but my hope is for a day where we can put our differences aside and come together as a family once again,” he said.

“Our home is open to them, as it always has been.”

Liberal Party leader Matthew Guy says Renee Heath will not be welcome in the Liberal partyroom. Picture: David Crosling

A spokesman for the City Builders Advisory Committee said the church was “deeply disappointed” by recent media coverage.

“The allegations of wrongdoing are completely false. We unequivocally reject allegations of exorcisms on children and gay and vulnerable people,” she said.

“No such practice was ever engaged in at any time by City Builders Church, or any affiliated church.

“The church and its pastors have always acted appropriately, lawfully and in a way that is true to their faith.”

The spokesman said recent media coverage had “capitalised on a painful family split for political purposes and commercial gain.”

“Their attempt to discredit a young female political candidate by smearing our church is evidence of increasing discrimination against Christians engaging in public life,” she said.

“City Builders Church has a 30-year record of community service and pastoral care that has had a positive impact on countless lives and families.

“We have witnessed the abused, addicted and neglected heal and rebuild their lives through the love of Jesus Christ and the genuine relationships we share.

“It has therefore been devastating for our church community to read commentary that so severely misrepresents the heart and actions of our church.”

The church has lodged action with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission on the grounds of religious discrimination and persecution, and the Australian Press Council.