Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton has written to Sam Mostyn and Anthony Albanese (letters attached below) expressing serious concern about what he says is the politicisation of the office of Governor-General.
Mr Shelton confirmed he has formally requested that the Governor-General relinquish her patronage of Equality Australia and has asked the Prime Minister to advise her accordingly, in order to restore the office to its proper apolitical role.
"The Governor-General must be seen to stand above politics and represent all Australians impartially," Mr Shelton said.
"In my correspondence, I have respectfully raised concerns that continued patronage of a politically active advocacy organisation risks undermining public confidence in the neutrality of the office."
Mr Shelton also highlighted concerns about Equality Australia's advocacy on highly contested child gender conversion therapies, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgical interventions for minors.
"It is not appropriate for the Governor-General's office to be associated — even indirectly — with advocacy on such controversial matters."
Mr Shelton also noted that Equality Australia had publicly welcomed a recent procedural development in his own long-running legal case against two drag queens, which has become a test of free speech in Australia.
"It is deeply troubling that an organisation associated with the Governor-General has taken a position in a live legal matter in which I am directly involved," he said.
"This creates a perception — whether intended or not — that the weight of the Governor-General's office is aligned with one side of a contested legal and cultural debate."
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Shelton said maintaining the impartiality of the Governor-General was essential to preserving trust in Australia's constitutional system.
"The office must unite Australians, not risk being seen to take sides in politically charged issues or ongoing legal disputes," he said.
