Two Christian lobby groups have pushed back against any new laws to protect vulnerable people from cults, with a Victorian inquiry told of a “palpable fear” they could affect mainstream churches.

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) and Freedom for Faith were among witnesses to appear before the parliamentary inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups on Tuesday.

The Labor MP Ella George, who is chairing the inquiry, told the ACL that many witnesses had called for laws addressing coercion by “high-control groups” because of “the incredibly harmful impact it has on individuals and their families”. Liberal MP’s sister says father’s church is a ‘cult’ where ‘gay conversion’ practices may still be happening Read more

However, Jasmine Yuen, the ACL’s Victorian director, said existi

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