The Australian Christian Lobby is shocked by the Albanese Government’s obvious ideological bias in passing a Bill on Monday to grant Equality Australia tax-deductible status after it was rejected multiple times through proper processes.
According to ACL’s CEO, Michelle Pearse “The Albanese Government has shown their cards. They are clearly aligned with an agenda that is anti-children and anti-freedom.”
Equality Australia failed to secure deductible gift recipient (DGR) status through established legal and administrative pathways, including unsuccessful court action. Despite this, the Government has intervened to grant DGR status, giving the organisation taxpayer-backed financial advantages.
Equality Australia campaigns for children to medically change their gender, opposes religious freedom protections, and advocates for the removal of sex-based distinctions in law. It also supports the erosion of women’s sex-based rights.
The decision raises serious questions about fairness, consistency and the integrity of the DGR system. DGR status exists to support genuine charitable work, not political lobbying. It allows organisations to receive tax-deductible donations, effectively subsidising their activities with public funds.
ACL CEO Michelle Pearse said the sequence of events raises serious concerns.
“They went through the process and didn’t qualify, and now the tax-payer is funding an ideological lobby group.”” Ms Pearse said.
“We just want to make sure we understand the new process. Meet the criteria, or don’t and find a Minister? That’s not how a fair system works. It reeks of favours and back-door dealings.”
The ACL said granting DGR status after repeated rejection undermines confidence in the system and is calling on the Federal Government to explain why they granted a special favour to Equality Australia.
Media contact: Michelle Pearse | m: 0459 371 355 | e: [email protected]
