- The Other Cheek asked Wendy Francis: What’s the most significant breakthrough you achieved at ACL (Australian Christian Lobby)?
- The release of the final refugees held in detention in Darwin. When I was made aware of their plight, I lobbied on their behalf, and went public with what was happening and they were released shortly after. There were many others who had worked hard for this family’s release, and I was grateful to be a small part of the final win.https://www.acl.org.au/blog/blog-wf-nt-refugees/
- Temporary Protection Visas gaining a pathway to permanency – allowing recognised long-term refugees to become Australian citizens, thereby giving their children, some of whom have only known life in Australia, to study at University and participate fully in our way of life. https://www.acl.org.au/media/mr-nat-permanent-uncertainty-ends/
- We have, along with others, seen pornography be recognised as a serious health issue. In early 2020, on the back of an inquiry that I participated in, a government report was published – “Protecting the Age of Innocence”. It has taken years, but the government is now moving to introduce age verification legislation in a step towards protecting our children from exposure to material that has the potential to change the trajectory of their lives, stealing their innocence and capacity for loving relationships.
- You campaigned about outdoor posters – what’s an ad that you convinced people should be removed?
There have been many, but I can think of some notable examples.
- At the Brisbane Ekka, in the kids’ section of Sideshow Alley, there was a large billboard with highly sexualised painted imagery of women. I started a petition, and overnight, there were thousands of signatures. The CEO of the Ekka contacted me very early the next morning, informing me that the images had been covered up and asking me to stop the petition. He apologised on behalf of the Ekka. I really respected that and learnt that I should have contacted him before starting the petition.
- A pig was featured in a disgusting beastiality billboard in Kings Cross. After immediate complaints, it was removed overnight. Unfortunately, as is the case in ads such as this, the shock value meant that the media gave free press on the ad and its swift removal. It makes me angry, but common decency demands we continue to say no. I’d love our major cities to follow Canberra’s lead, along with other global cities, and ban billboards altogether.
- In a back-to-school advertising blitz, Volley Sandshoes took the opportunity to use their shoes for an ad to encourage sexual inquisitiveness from school kids. I got a lot of hate over this campaign, but it was stopped, and it was worth the hate. Hands off our kids.
- A billboard on the bus shelter outside a Catholic primary school in Brisbane was repeatedly a target for a sexualised condom ad. I visited the school and got their support in calling for it to be removed – permanently. We were successful and the owners of that billboard have noted that these ads are never to be used in this location again.
- In Townsville, there was a particularly offensive billboard—it was sexualised and misogynistic. Townsville residents joined me in protesting against it, and the council ruled it must go. We celebrated the win, but then – if it wasn’t so sad, it would have been funny – the business owner clumsily (very obviously) painted over the revealing portion and left the ad up.
- Best win for ACL and the greatest challenge in the 14 years you were there?
There have been many wins, often necessarily kept quiet, but maintaining religious freedom in our nation, I believe, undergirds all other wins. ACL has been, and continues to be, critical in the ongoing discussions over years now, to remain a nation that respects the right of every citizen to freely practice their faith, and to bring their children up accordingly.
The greatest challenge for me has been in prioritising our efforts. It would be very easy to be distracted in putting out ‘spot fires’ rather than concentrating on the big picture. I haven’t always been successful in doing this, as some of the smaller issues have been too important not to invest time in, but overall, ACL has sought to empower individuals to stand firm in their own areas of concern, whilst we have focused on political effectiveness.
‘Friendly fire’ has also been a challenge. I am surprised and disappointed when Christians judge other Christians publicly. Social media can be a sewer, and brothers and sisters in Christ should abstain from throwing muck in it. Whether that’s at ACL, me personally, or other churches. I never mind people disagreeing with me. I’ve learnt from such people over the years. Discernment is one thing, hateful slander or gossip is never right. I hate it.
- If you were not leaving, what would you plan to campaign on?
The inequality in health facilities in predominantly Aboriginal communities.
Australia’s Indigenous population remains sadly over-represented regarding health concerns, regardless of many well-meaning government programs and initiatives. In an attempt to understand the very clear gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in regards to life expectancy and well=being, I have researched every town in Australia with a population of 3,000 or less. What I discovered shocked me. There is a clear disparity in the distribution of inpatient hospital services in Australia. A very brief example of this is seen with a comparison between Longreach and Maningrida.
The population of Longreach is 2,970, 94% non-Indigenous. Longreach has an 18-bed hospital facility providing acute care, general surgery, emergency, medical, paediatrics, gynaecology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, outpatient and elective health services as well as a retrieval and transfer service. 24-hour accident and emergency care is available, and the hospital can respond to emergencies through the Triple Zero (000) system. Longreach has a number of supermarkets, a department Store, clothing and shoe shops, and other specialty stores.
The Aboriginal township of Maningrida has a similar population to Longreach. Maningrida has a community health centre to service the community and outstations. There is no facility to stay overnight. If hospital care is required, a plane medivac service must be called to provide evacuation to Darwin Hospital. Maningrida has 2 supermarkets with a reasonable range, apart from the huge cost of vegetables and fruit. There are 3 takeaway outlets and 2 fuel stations. This disparity is the norm.