Founded 1995 Slogan Voice for values | Registration no. 40 075 120 517 (ABN) Area served Australia | |
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Key people Chairman, Jim Wallace AMManaging director, Lyle SheltonChairman Emeritus, Tony McLellan |
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is a Christian public company based in Canberra lobbying both national and state/territory governments and running campaigns to change public opinion.
Contents
It is similar to the Christian right lobby groups found in the United States.
As at 2016 it is conducting a high-profile campaign to support the retention of the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman as found in the Marriage Amendment Act 2004 No. 126, 2004 and seeks to allow open expression of its opposition to same-sex marriage through exempting debate from hate speech laws.
Its critics have stated that it overstates its base of support with its policies created by a small number of company owners. Critics have variously labelled it a hate group, and operating from a Christian dominionist and reconstructionist theology. ACL rejects those labels.
Structure
The ACL is registered as a public company, limited by guarantee and files political expenditure returns with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Funding comes mostly from individuals but names are not disclosed by the organisation itself. It has no political affiliation and makes no statements regarding faith. Eternity House, the Deakin ACT headquarters of ACL is registered as a separate not-for-profit entity.
Lobbying strategies
ACL activities include:
History
The Australian Christian Coalition (ACC) was founded in 1995 by John Gagliardi, a lay leader of a large Pentecostal church in Brisbane. Gagliardi had held journalistic positions as editor of the Townsville Bulletin and as a presenter for Channel 10 news. Co-founders include John McNicoll, a retired Baptist minister turned lobbyist in Canberra, and John Miller, a Baptist who held lay leadership positions within his Canberra church.
The organisation changed its name to the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) in March 2001.
In December 2016, a van filled with propane bottles was set on fire in an adjacent car park damaging the ACL's empty offices. Police who interviewed the man said that the incident was not politically, religiously or ideologically motivated. In February 2017, the investigation into the bombing was reported as "active", but "frozen" due to the driver's medical condition.
Staff
Jim Wallace was the managing director of ACL from 2000 to 2013. Lyle Shelton is ACL's managing director. The company has a self-appointed board of management – board members are invited to join by existing board members. Board members are not elected by members. The organisation's biggest expense is paying staff.
Constituency and influence
One of the main criticisms of the ACL is that it overstates the constituency it represents. Jim Wallace, one time managing director of the ACL, confirmed that the organisation represents its supporters only but stated that they also contact a group of representative theologians representing a number of denominations.
Whilst its claimed constituency is unproven, John Warhurst, emeritus professor of political science at the Australian National University said that ACL has:
Warhurst notes that ACL as an evangelical lobby group is more politically influential than the Family First party.
Professor Marion Maddox, of Macquarie University has said that ACL has achieved, 'remarkable influence with political leaders on both sides.'
Former Attorney-General Robert McClelland has said those protesting against ACL would not have recognised that the ACL had supported amendments to 84 pieces of Commonwealth legislation that removed discrimination against same-sex couples.
Some Christian leaders have stated the ACL's campaigning against gay rights does not represent the stance of all Christians, and several Christian Churches have stated they are frustrated and concerned about the ACL's actions on the issue.
The ACL has been described as extremist, influenced by Christian dominionism and reconstructionism. This is denied by the ACL.
Support
ACL supports:
Opposition
ACL opposes: