Family First has slammed the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision to uphold the suspension of Christian GP Dr Jereth Kok, calling it a gross injustice and a chilling attack on freedom of speech.
The party will fight to repeal similar anti-free speech laws in all states starting with fielding candidates at up-coming elections in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
“Dr Kok has harmed no patient. His only ‘crime’ was to express his views online — many of them satirical or Christian in nature — and for that, he has been punished with the loss of his medical career,” said Family First’s National Director Lyle Shelton.
“This is not justice, it is un-Australian. This is Victoria’s ‘ministry of truth’ enforcing ideological conformity and crushing dissent.”
VCAT found that Dr Kok’s posts — on topics like human rights for unborn babies, gender ideology, and COVID policies — were “disrespectful” and “not sufficiently balanced,” despite acknowledging that many were political or religious in nature, and unrelated to his clinical practice.
“But even if that was true, is ‘disrespect’ and ‘lack of balance’ in private social media posts reason for a family doctor to have his career ruined by the government?” Mr Shelton asked.
“The fact that a satirical Babylon Bee article and a Christian commentary on transgenderism were key elements in VCAT’s findings shows just how far gone the Victorian legal and political establishment is,” Mr Shelton said.
“Anti-free speech laws masquerading under ‘anti-discrimination’ and ‘anti-vilification’ laws are part of each state and territory jurisdiction. This is a national problem,” Mr Shelton said.
“They are un-Australian because they crush freedom of speech and they allow activists with hurt feelings to unjustly weaponise the legal system.
“The government has no place limiting the rights for professionals to express political and religious views, especially in their private capacity.
“Family First will be running candidates at next year’s South Australian, Victorian and the 2027 NSW state election who are committed to restoring free speech and ending this culture of fear.
“This is about more than one man. It’s about whether Australians — especially Christian and conservative professionals — are still free to express their views without losing their livelihoods,” Mr Shelton said.
“We will not sit by while the state tramples conscience, truth, and freedom,” Mr Shelton said. “Dr Kok’s case must be the turning point.”
Family First has also pledged to abolish state and federal taxpayer-funded human rights commissions which continually undermine the human rights of mainstream Australians.
The Human Rights Law Alliance, which represents Dr Kok is considering an appeal.
HRLA said VCAT has found Dr Kok guilty of professional misconduct – not for any clinical failing, but for expressing his deeply held views on social media.
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