The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is warning that proposed changes to Victoria’s “anti-vilification” laws will put Christians in danger of being prosecuted for simply making it known that they are followers of Jesus Christ.

According to an overview published by the state’s government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, “Vilification is more commonly known as hate speech, but could also be a broader range of acts or behavior.” The document explains that current law protects citizens from vilification because of race or religion, but the changes would expand the protected attributes to include disability, gender identity, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation and personal association with someone in any of those categories.

The proposed changes would also impose higher maximum penalties for offenses than the current law does, and the government states its intent for the law to clarify that if a person outside of Victoria vilifies a person in Victoria, the offender can be investigated and prosecuted for the offense.

In a press release, the ACL said that the proposed law “has already generated fear and prompted self-censorship among the Christian community, as students in the Methodist Ladies College in Kew were told to remove their crosses after non-Christian students complained that they are offensive.”

Jasmine Yuen, Victorian director of the ACL, said: “Sadly, this is what we foresee will happen under the Allan Government’s anti-vilification law, that has clearly stated in the overview paper that ‘the wearing or display of clothing, signs, flags, emblems and insignia, observable by the public,’ including in private property such as schools and workplaces, would amount to vilification if considered offensive by someone.

“It is our fear that not only the cross but also the Gospel message of sins and forgiveness would soon be deemed vilification under this law.”

Photo of the skyline of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Adobe Stock