Australian Christian Lobby faces complaints about flyers targeting MPs who opposed religious discrimination laws

Australian Christian Lobby flyers targeting moderate Liberals who crossed the floor to amend the religious discrimination bill to protect LGBTIQ+ people have prompted complaints to the charities regulator that argue the material breaches rules on political campaigning.

Leaflets distributed by the ACL depict Liberals Trent Zimmerman, Dave Sharma, Bridget Archer, Fiona Martin, and independent MP Rebekha Sharkie driving a wrecking ball into a church or school.

In February, the MPs voted for amendments to the religious discrimination bill aimed at protecting LGBTIQ+ students to the Sex Discrimination Act.

The Australian Christian Lobby is a registered charity, reporting income in the last financial year of close to $9m. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission has set up rules about what political work charities can undertake in the election. While charities can campaign on an issue, it must not be seen to be promoting or opposing a particular political party or candidate.

Guardian Australia has seen several complaints sent to the ACNC about the flyers, however an ACNC spokesperson said the commission could not comment on specific charities, or whether concerns had been raised.

The ACNC spokesperson said the regulator only publishes general guidance to charities and conveys this guidance via its contact centre.

Guardian Australia has sought comment from FamilyVoice.

On Tuesday, several of the Liberal MPs targeted defended their record against the attacks from the ACL.

The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, this week withdrew promotional material for his re-election campaign featuring the head of charity Guide Dogs Victoria speaking in support of Frydenberg in the hotly-contested seat of Kooyong.