Pray with the ACL and Urge Your Politicians to Reject the ‘Hate Speech’ Bill
The Federal Government’s proposed “Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026” has drawn severe criticism from almost everyone.
The proposals, while failing to address antisemitism, would dramatically impact freedom of speech, conscience and association. Expressing views on legitimate issues ranging from religion, immigration, multiculturalism and advocating for traditional Judeo-Christian values are at risk criminalisation and could land you in jail.
The Bill, along with explanatory notes, is massive, including almost 500 pages. It proposes drastic changes to Australian law. Yet the Government wanted to introduce and pass it in mere days, showing complete contempt for the democratic process.
Despite giving the public only two days to have their say last Wednesday and Thursday, Australians spoke loud and clear. A staggering 7000+ submissions were sent to the Parliamentary Committee. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of them were strongly opposed to the Bill.
The Canberra Declaration submission was one of those 7000. You can read a summary of it on The Daily Declaration here, as well as the full submission here.
Joint Canberra Declaration and ACL Prayer Meeting
In response, the Canberra Declaration has joined with the Australian Christian Lobby to hold a nation-wide online prayer meeting tonight, Monday, 19 January at 7 pm (AEDT).
The prayer webinar will be similar to the joint one held for the 2025 federal election. We are honoured and humbled to stand should-to-shoulder with the ACL and Christians across the country at this important nation-defining time.
We will be praying that if parts of the Bill pass, any final legislation protects freedom of speech, genuinely addresses antisemitism, and avoids unintended consequences for freedom in our nation.
Those leading tonight’s time of prayer include Michelle Pearse (CEO, ACL), pastors Janine Cabala (Believe Church) and Margaret Court (Victory Life Centre), and the Canberra Declaration’s Kurt Mahlburg, Warwick Marsh, Kym Farnik and pastor Peter Walker.
We strongly encourage you to join this Zoom prayer meeting at this critical time, and invite your friends and family to join you. Please register for this prayer meeting below.
INVITE: Joint Canberra Declaration and ACL ‘Hate Speech’ Prayer Webinar
DATE: Monday, 19 January 2026
TIME: 7pm – 7:45pm AEDT (starting 6:30 pm SA; 6 pm QLD; 5:30 pm NT; 4 pm WA)
ZOOM REGISTRATION: Click here to register and you will be emailed the Zoom link
Our regular Monday night Canberra Declaration Zoom prayer meeting will continue as normal at 8 pm (AEDT) tonight. We will continue to pray against abortion and uphold the unborn before God’s throne.
Contact Your Politicians: Oppose This ‘Hate Speech’ Bill
The politics around this Bill keeps changing every day. But as of the time of writing, and due to widespread criticism and pressure, the Government has split the Bill into two parts.
(1) One part is about gun laws, and looks set to pass with the Greens throwing their support behind it.
(2) The other part concerns ‘hate speech’. Some unjust aspects of the Bill are set to be scrubbed, which is a victory to celebrate.
But the Labor Government has said they will work with the Coalition Opposition to pass what they can agree on, which will include still very dangerous anti-free speech legislation.
We urgently ask you to contact your local member of parliament as well as your state/territory senators and respectfully but strongly ask them to oppose the ‘hate speech’ Bill. ALL sides of politics need to hear this message.
You can simply say that passing this Bill in the short time frame, with very concerning consequences for freedom of speech, is impossible.
Please urge them to reject the ‘hate speech’ Bill today and tomorrow, as the Government wants this passed by Tuesday (tomorrow).
Click the green button below, put in your postcode, and it will retrieve the names of your local member of parliament and your state/territory senators.
Click on the contact details to find their Canberra Parliament Office phone number. Our parliamentarians are in Canberra now, so use their Canberra Parliament Office phone number as this is the most direct and effective method to reach them.
You can also call the Parliamentary Switchboard on 02 6277 7111, and they will direct your call to your local MP and Senators.
The Daily Declaration has published multiple commentary articles on this ‘hate-speech’ Bill. Use them to find out more about the concerning consequences of this Bill.
- “Read the Canberra Declaration’s Submission to the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026“
- “Joint Faith Leaders’ Letter on Religious Freedom and the ‘Combatting Antisemitism and Extremism Bill 2026’“
- “Rush Job: Australia’s New Hate Speech Bill Set to Be Scuttled“
- “Key LNP Senators Line Up to Block Albanese’s Horrendous “Hate Speech” Laws“
- “Politicians Will Use So-Called “Hate Speech” Laws Against Christians“
- “Inside Australia’s Most Dangerous Anti-Free Speech Law“
- “Free Speech, Faith and the Danger of Legislating Virtue“
Yours for Christian faith, family, freedom and life,
Samuel Hartwich and Warwick Marsh
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Yep! The great thing is my local member is LNP (who regularly attends our church) who will oppose this bill.
Sadly he currently sits with the Liberals. Hopefully this will make him come to his senses and join the conservatives!
Praise Jesus! What a watershed moment.