Rev Fred Nile, together with his wife Silvana, lead the Revive Australia Party, who holds the belief that restoration, repair, and rebuilding are necessary for Australia in various areas including spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional spheres. The party aims to bring revival to family, governance, health, and education to address these needs.
Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Sydney, is someone who has recently experienced homophobic slur through vile and malicious social media attacks by the Hon Mark Latham MLC, prompting former MLC, Reverend Fred Nile to step in. Reverend Nile says, “I thought it was very unfair of Mark Latham and the way he was attacking Alex. Alex Greenwich wasn’t attacking anybody. So, I thought there should be a little bit of harmony in our relationships, and not this attacking mode that Latham has at the moment.”
The outrage came days after the 2023 NSW state election, when Latham tweeted a homophobic slur directed at Greenwich. “I have never seen anything this aggressive in all my years of politics,” says Reverend Nile. “I am very unhappy about it. That is why I am trying to counteract it now, with Silvana – to bring about a ‘balance’ in our society and in the media.”
Coming to the defence of Greenwich, it seems Reverend Nile is always the virtuous man in the community who is ready to defend the vulnerable and be a voice for the victims. Reverend Nile has been a man of controversy in previous years and has attacked and voted against LGBTQIA+ policies. Silvana Nile, who unsuccessfully contested an Upper House seat I the 2023 elections, says, “the Christian community in leadership must uphold that we attack the policies and not the people. I think it is very important then these days that we don’t develop what is called a righteousness about ourselves, because Christ didn’t come for the righteous, he came for the sinners. It is about being a servant to Christ and loving people.”
This is not about the LGBTQIA+ community versus the Christians. This battle is about uniting against bullying, unprovoked attacks, and supporting the victim. “Alex says in an article about Rev Nile and myself, “they made it clear that Mr. Latham’s views, words and actions were not representative of the faith communities they have worked with.” I was very moved by Alex’s comment. We prayed for God to look after the wounding and the healing that Alex will need from the attacks he has been receiving on social media. He has been unfairly treated and attacked. We all know what it’s like to be attacked. It is awful,” says Silvana.
Whilst this gesture of comradery may appear as another political stunt, Reverend Nile has one clear message for Latham: “Mark, please wake up to yourself,” and added, “I do not believe Alex deserved the attacks from Latham whatsoever. Greenwich has been quite caring and thoughtful with regards to all his comments concerning all different issues. And that is why I am sympathetic to him, which might surprise some people, but that is what I am – I am very honest and I am very fair. So, God bless everyone, and God bless Mark too to help him to come to his senses.”
What is an MLC and what is the Upper House? How does an MLC’s decision affect you?
MLC stands for Member of the Legislative Council
Unlike a Member of Parliament (MP) who represents one area/electorate, an MLC represents the whole state through their role in the Upper House. NSW Parliament is composed of two ‘houses’: the Lower House, otherwise known as the Legislative Assembly, where the political party with majority MPs (47+ members) forms Government [in instances where a party has less than 47 members, yet can reach the 47+ through deals with independents/minor parties, they can still form a Minority Government], and the Upper House, otherwise known as the Legislative Council, with 42 members, who are elected for eight year terms. The primary role of the Upper House is to act as a ‘House of Review’ by holding the Government to account and through its role in reviewing legislation passed by the Lower House.
MLCs who form the Upper House each have an equal vote. When a bill/legislation passes government (the Lower House), it still needs to pass the Upper House to become law. The Upper House also has the power to initiate and pass legislation without going through the Lower House. All registered voters across NSW can vote for the MLCs every four years through the Upper House ballot paper on election days – that is, the long ballot you are given as you are voting. Remember, every election, only half of the Upper House seats become available due to the eight-year term!