'Billboard Chris' Wins after Australia Tried Globally Silencing Him: 'Today, Free Speech Has Prevailed'

Tré Goins-Phillips : Jul 8, 2025
Faithwire

"I'm grateful that truth and common sense have prevailed. This decision sends a clear message that the government does not have [the] authority to silence peaceful expression. My mission is to speak the truth about gender ideology, protecting children across the world from its dangers." -Chris Elston

[Faithwire.com] A tribunal in Australia handed the activist known as "Billboard Chris" a victory this month. (Image: via Faithwire-SkyNews Screengrab-YouTube)

The proceeding in Melbourne ended with the overturning of an order from Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant, who demanded Chris Elston delete a February 2024 post to X in which he criticized the appointment of Teddy Cook, a transgender-identified person, to a panel of experts at the World Health Organization, News.com.au reported.

Inman-Grant deemed Elston's post a form of "cyber abuse," according to ADF International.

While X—owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk—initially resisted the demand from the Australian eSafety Commission, the platform ultimately determined to geo-block the post for Australian-based IP addresses. Meanwhile, both X and Elston pursued legal action against Australia.

Beginning March 31, the Melbourne tribunal began a week-long hearing to determine whether the post constituting "cyber abuse." Last week, the tribunal members decided Inman-Grant was wrong to classify the Christian activist's post as abusive or intentionally targeting of Cook.

Deputy President Damien O'Donovan, who presided over the tribunal, cited Elston's testimony, pointing to the consistency of the activist's views. Elston has stated he would never use pronouns misaligned with a person's actual sex because doing so is "untrue" and "has implications for the rights and safety of women and children."

The tribunal ruled Elston's post about Cook didn't meet the criteria for abuse under the country's Online Safety Act and, as such, concluded he should not have been subject to a censorial order from the commissioner.

"I am satisfied that it is his universal practice to refer to a transgender person by the pronouns that correspond to their biological sex at birth," wrote O'Donovan.

The ruling on Elston's favor comes amid growing concerns about the Australian government's attempts at international censorship... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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