Eros Fingers Australian Sect Over Legal Funding

CANBERRA, Australia — Adult industry trade group The Eros Association has accused a conservative fundamentalist Christian group of offering to pay for legal challenges to stop an adult store in Lithgow, a city in New South Wales about 85 miles northwest of Sydney.

The Lithgow City Council refused permission for Jeff Oliver to open Flirt Adult Store on Lithgow's Main Street, so he appealed the decision to the Land and Environment Court and won the case.

Local members of the Exclusive Brethren offered to fund the council's appeal to the Supreme Court, and the council was ready to accept the money after the New South Wales Department of Local Government decided there was no legal impediment to the city "accepting a donation from a third party."

The city elected not to pursue the appeal, however, and the Flirt Adult Store opened.

Lithgow City Councilmember Martin Ticehurst said he was disturbed that it is perfectly legal for councils to accept money from groups — such as the Brethren — that wanted to influence outcomes.

"It's not just the involvement of religious groups that concerns me," Ticehurst said. "Councils should not be allowed to accept money from any activist group. It could be perceived as a form of bribery, and I think it's potentially dangerous."

Eros Association Media Director Robbie Swan thinks more interference from the Exclusive Brethren is coming.

"There is increasing evidence that the exclusive brethren have infiltrated other morals groups around the nation and have embarked on a national campaign to stop adult retail shops from opening," Swan said.

"There is also increasing evidence that their members are secretly being elected to local councils, with moral agendas their main reason for being there. There's an urgent need for a national [investigation] into just how far this 'entryism' has gone and to what extent local government decisions on moral matters have been compromised by this cult."

The fundamentalist group, which calls itself "a Christian Fellowship based on the Holy Scriptures," does not allow its members to vote and is reportedly a donor to Australia's Liberal Party.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

LELO Launches 'Masturbitter' Craft Beer to Promote Male Sex Talk

LELO has partnered with Great Beyond Brewing Company to launch Masturbitter, a craft beer, to encourage men to discuss sex.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Blush Erotica, The Kinky Candle Company Partner for Branded Candle

Blush Erotica has partnered with The Kinky Candle Company for an official branded candle.

Show More