Freedom24 - National Conference 2024

FREEDOM24 conference will develop your understanding of threats to religious freedom in Australia from historical, theological and policy perspectives.

Historian Sarah Irving-Stonebraker will examine the history of religious freedom, while John McClean of Christ College will share a theological perspective on how the church is to respond to legal threats to ministry. We will also have a number of experts unpack the major religious freedom concerns in Australia, as well as implications and paths forward for advocacy.

The conference will run from 9am-4pm on Monday, August 5th at Village Church Annadale in Sydney.

In-person tickets include morning tea, lunch and a complimentary coffee cart.

We are also providing FREE livestream tickets this year, to maximise access for those who cannot attend in person.

Speakers include:

Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker (PhD Cambridge University) is Associate Professor of Western Civilisation at the Australian Catholic University. She is a historian of Britain and the colonial world and especially the intersection of religion, science, and politics.

Mark Sneddon is the Executive Director of the Institute for Civil Society. He is a lawyer with a longstanding interest in promoting the freedoms of expression, conscience, association, and religion in our society, as well as seeking to encourage a civil discussion and debate on these liberties and their relation to public policy. Mark is a member of the Board of Freedom for Faith.

John McClean teaches theology and ethics at Christ College. He has an interest in political theology, both for research and in practice. John serves as a chair of committees dealing with social issues and public policy for the Presbyterian Church in NSW and ACT and at the national level. He is a member of the Board of Reference for Freedom for Faith.

Vanessa Cheng is the Executive Officer for the Australian Association of Christian Schools. She is an experienced educator, advocate and policy advisor.

Mark Spencer is the Director of Public Policy for Christian Schools Australia, and is responsible for advocacy on behalf of CSA member schools in a wide range of educational policy as well as areas relating to religious freedom, equal opportunity and discrimination.

Mike Southon is the Executive Director of Freedom for Faith, and has extensive experience in ministry and para-church organisations. Mike has a passion for seeing the local church equipped and mobilised to be effective in all forms of ministry - including political advocacy.