Laxale and Yung go head-to-head on faith, freedom, and cost-of-living at Bennelong forum

“Some have said [Bennelong] is powered by bubble tea and hot pots, and whoever controls the bubble tea vote controls Bennelong.”

That’s how Reverend John Chappel, of St John’s North Ryde Anglican Church, began his spirited introduction of Bennelong’s Liberal and Labor candidates at a religious forum last week.

Faith indeed met politics as both current Labor MP for Bennelong, Jerome Laxale and Liberal candidate Scott Yung took to the stage for the Freedom for Faith 2025 event, hosted by Pastor Chappell - who promised no “gotcha” moments - and backed by advocacy group Freedom for Faith.

Some wise words from Ryde reverend

“There is a debate about belief,” the pastor began. “Freedom of religion must necessitate including people from different belief backgrounds.”

Chappell contrasted Australia’s upholding of religious freedoms to the experience of religious persecution of Christians in Syria, Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and the Yazidis in Iraq.

“Australia should be a place where there is true freedom for people to hold and to live out their deepest convictions.”

Switching gears, the conversation moved towards the candidates’ preferences between Thai or Korean food (Laxale and Yung agree: Korean), AFL or league (Laxale: league, Yung: “NRL - go the Dragons”), lattes or cappuccinos (Yung: “no difference”, Laxale: “iced long black”), powerlifting or power walking (Laxale: powerlifting, Yung: “I’m a pretty skinny guy - power walking”), before moving into weightier territory once again: the politicians’ stances on religious discrimination and freedom, the persecution of minorities, and the more secular issues of cost of living, housing, and even gambling reform.

Faith-based convictions in focus

Both candidates made clear they support freedom of religion and the rights of faith-based institutions to hire in line with their beliefs.

Scott Yung, the Liberal challenger with a background in education, was emphatic: “Religious institutions can hire and choose according to their values and their faith… and I think that is very, very important.”

“I grew up with a mum who was very Buddhist and that Buddhist faith to me has been a guide, and it's formed my core principles when it comes to karma and compassion.”

Jerome Laxale, the sitting Labor MP and former Ryde mayor, echoed the sentiment but highlighted Labor’s more cautious legislative approach: “No one should be discriminated against because of their faith, race, gender, or sexuality… We're committed to legislating against religious discrimination.”

Laxale attended a Catholic then an Anglican school.

Bipartisan support on religious discrimination, Laxale noted, didn’t materialise during the last parliamentary term, referencing Peter Dutton’s refusal to back Labor’s proposed bill.

The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill aimed to protect individuals and faith-based institutions from being treated unfairly based on their beliefs, while also ensuring protections for other vulnerable groups. First floated under the Coalition after a 2018 inquiry led by Philip Ruddock, the bill faced setbacks due to concerns it failed to strike the right balance. Labor requested that the Law Reform Commission review the issue, receiving its report in late 2023, but it was again shelved due to the lack of bipartisan support.

“If we're reelected, we're committed to legislating against religious discrimination,” Laxale reiterated.

Cost of living: hot button, hotter takes

Unsurprisingly, cost-of-living pressures drew fire and passion from both sides.

Yung painted a picture of hardworking locals struggling to stay afloat: “Just at Meadowbank the other morning I met a single mother who told me that after paying the rent, groceries and child support, she’s got $20 left over. We need strong leadership on the economy, not just short-term handouts.”

He promised fuel excise cuts and targeted tax relief - $14 a week back in petrol savings - but stopped short of long-term fiscal commitments, saying they’d assess the landscape after a year.

And why can’t it be extended for longer than that? Yung explains: “Those that run businesses know that you don't just make plans without being able to adapt to the dynamics. We want to see where things go in a year’s time…

“The economy must have a long-term plan, not just short-term handouts. It's so important to build a real economy by backing productivity, by backing small businesses, cutting red tape and working hard together.”

Laxale countered with his own highlight reel of Labor government achievements: “Six million extra bulk billing visits… rent assistance up 40%… tax cuts that made 81% of Bennelong taxpayers better off,” calling the Coalition’s reforms “temporary fixes.”

Yung also mentioned that he was part of a few WhatsApp groups with MPs, candidates and shadow ministers to lobby on issues. “To be able to effectively get things done, you need to have like-minded people that are able to advocate on these issues.”

Gambling: a common ground issue

When asked about gambling harm, both candidates agreed: Australia has a problem.

Yung backed a ban on gambling ads one hour before and after sporting games, calling it a “common ground issue.”

Laxale, while admitting “disappointment” at the pace of reform in his own party, said he’d pushed for stronger action and met with ministers to get it done: “I’m just as sick of seeing betting odds linked to sport as you are.”

Closing remarks

Both candidates closed with personal pledges. “I’ll always fight for this community,” Laxale said. “Whether I win or lose, I’m staying. This is my home.”

Yung was equally earnest: “I won’t promise what I can’t afford. But I will work hard, every single day, to make Bennelong and Australia a better place.”

And with that, prayers were said, applause rang out, and the people of Bennelong walked away with a clearer sense of what each man says they for – in politics and principle.