Fred Nile

Nile was born in Kings Cross, New South Wales{{cite web|title=Fred Nile AutoBiography|url=http://www.cdp.org.au/about-fred-nile.html|publisher=Christian Democratic Party|access-date=4 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031181913/http://www.cdp.org.au/about-fred-nile.html|archive-date=31 October 2013|df=dmy-all}} and was educated at Mascot Public and Cleveland Street High School (1940–1949). In 1952, during the Korean War, at age 17, Nile volunteered to join the National Service in 1952 and then transferred to the CMF/reserves which allowed him to avoid deployment to Korea and qualified for the rank of major, before retiring in 1972. In 1958, Nile married Elaine Crealy, who was a member of the Legislative Council for 14 years. They had three sons and a daughter. Elaine died in October 2011 at age 75.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/elaine-nile-dies-after-cancer-fight/3577100 |title=Elaine Nile dies after cancer fight |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=18 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 }} Nile attended the NSW Congregational Theological College, the NSW United Faculty of Theology and the University of New England. He was awarded a Licentiate of Theology by the Melbourne College of Divinity.{{cite web|title=About the Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/member/files/2/Biography.pdf |publisher=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=2 March 2015}}

Nile was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1964. From 1964 to 1967, he was National Director of the Australian Christian Endeavour Movement, a Protestant youth leadership training organisation. In 1967–68, he was assistant director of the Billy Graham Crusade in Sydney before being employed as director of the Congregational Board of Evangelism in New South Wales. In 1970–71, he was involved in social work as director of the Methodist Mission to the People of New South Wales and, from 1971 to 1973, was Director of Outreach and Evangelism, Sydney City Wesley Central Methodist Mission.Court, J.H., (1975), Law, Light and Liberty, Lutheran Publishing House, Adelaide, Chapter 13.

In 1974, Nile was elected national co-ordinator and the New South Wales director of the Australian Federation of Festival of Light – Community Standards Organisation (FOL–CSO), an organisation which campaigned "for purity, love and family life".[https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/fred-nile-anti-gay-march-on-oxford-street-national-9-news/4wG0aTniWoutGg?hl=en 'Fred Nile anti-gay march on Oxford Street']. 10 February 1989. National Nine News.Sean Nicholls. (3 June 2011). [https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/all-talk-no-action-to-halt-wages-bill-20110602-1fizb.html 'All talk, no action to halt wages bill']. Sydney Morning Herald.

Nile was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council on 19 September 1981 with 9.1% of the vote{{cite news |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2009/11/the-christian-democrat-schism.html |title=The Christian Democrat Schism |author=Green, Antony |author-link=Antony Green |work=ABC Elections |location=Australia |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=3 October 2011 }} as the founder of the Call to Australia (Fred Nile) Group, established in 1977. Following the election to the Legislative Council of Jim Cameron (in 1984) and Nile's wife, Elaine (1988), the Call to Australia Group was officially recognised as a political party. Fred Nile was re-elected to the Council at the 1991 and 1999 state elections. Nile wrote his autobiography in 2001. In 2003, Nile resigned from the Uniting Church in Australia claiming that the church had "officially decided to part with a literal interpretation of the Judeo-Christian Bible".[https://www.smh.com.au/national/fred-nile-resigns-from-church-20030721-gdh4xp.html 'Fred Nile resigns from church']. 21 July 2003. Sydney Morning Herald.

{{Conservatism in Australia}}

Nile resigned from the NSW Parliament on 30 August 2004 in order to contest the 2004 Federal election, seeking a position in the Australian Senate{{cite press release |url=http://www.cdp.org.au/federal-media-release/1275-fred-nile-resigns-from-nsw-upper-house-after-23-years.html |title=Fred Nile resigns from NSW upper house after 23 years |work=Media release |publisher=Christian Democrat Party (NSW) |date=30 August 2004 |access-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415081957/http://www.cdp.org.au/federal-media-release/1275-fred-nile-resigns-from-nsw-upper-house-after-23-years.html |archive-date=15 April 2012 }} on a platform of opposition of the recognition of gay marriages.{{cite news |url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2004/05/11/will-fred-nile-make-it-to-the-senate/ |title=Will Fred Nile make it to the Senate |work=Crikey |location=Australia |date=11 May 2004 |access-date=3 October 2011 }} Nile was the last candidate excluded after the distribution of votes on the 77th count, and was not elected to the Senate.{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/2004/2004senatensw.txt |title=2004 Senate: New South Wales |author=Carr, Adam |work=Adam Carr's Election Database |year=2004 |access-date=3 October 2011 }} A few months later, he was re-appointed to the Legislative Council to fill the vacancy created by his own resignation.

At the 2007 New South Wales state election, Nile was re-elected for a further eight-year term and was appointed to the newly created position of Assistant President of the NSW Legislative Council.{{cite news |title=O'Farrell pledges loyalty to NSW |date=3 May 2011 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/03/3206365.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231073219/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/03/3206365.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2012 |access-date=21 June 2011}}

In 2007, he retired as the New South Wales director of the Australian Federation of Festival of Light. Nile served as the president of the Fellowship of Congregational Churches, a group of Australian Congregationalists who declined to join the Uniting Church in 1977, for the years 2007 to 2012, and again for the 2013/14 year.{{cite book |title=Fellowship of Congregational Churches Year Book 2018}}

In November 2009, he stated his decision to retire in 2015,{{cite news |last=Nicholls|first=Sean |title=Father of the house, Rev Fred, to retire |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/father-of-the-house-rev-fred-to-retire-20091111-ia02.html |access-date=1 September 2010 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 November 2009}} but later announced his decision to accept the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) nomination for the NSW Legislative Council at the New South Wales State Election on 28 March 2015.{{cite web |title=Leadership Group: Rev. Fred Nile |url=https://www.christiandemocraticparty.com.au/team/leadership-group/ |publisher=Christian Democratic Party |access-date=6 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406150332/http://www.christiandemocraticparty.com.au/team/leadership-group/ |archive-date=6 April 2015 }} In 2014, Nile announced that he would be contesting the next state election in 2015 with his deputy, Ross Clifford. In 2015, Nile supported the Liberal government's privatisation of the state's electricity poles and wires.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-30/public-float-considered-for-nsw-electricity-privatisation/6357882|title=NSW Election 2015: Public float considered for NSW poles and wires privatisation, Baird|work=ABC News|date=30 March 2015|access-date=21 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-premier-mike-bairds-power-sale-passes-christian-democratic-mp-fred-nile-roadblock-20150603-ghfrev.html|title=NSW Premier Mike Baird's power sale passes Christian Democratic MP Fred Nile roadblock|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 June 2015|access-date=21 May 2019}}

In January 2017, Nile was denied entry to the United States where he had been invited to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump.{{cite web|author=Christopher Knaus |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jan/25/conservative-mp-fred-nile-denied-us-visa-for-donald-trumps-inauguration |title=Conservative MP Fred Nile denied US visa for Donald Trump's inauguration &# |work=The Guardian |date=2017-01-25 |access-date=2017-07-02}} He was later granted a visa and an apology, though no reason was given for the initial refusal.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/fred-nile-offered-usa-visa-and-apology-after-previously-denied/news-story/9195115764c3954a2bb995eac2192162 |title=Fred Nile offered USA visa and apology after previously denied |url-access=subscription}}

In April 2021, Nile announced he would retire in November 2021, nominating Lyle Shelton to replace him.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-12|title=Reverend Fred Nile to retire from NSW politics, names 'unashamedly Christian' successor|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-12/fred-nile-to-retire-from-nsw-politics-lyle-shelton-to-succeed/100063004|access-date=2021-04-12|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}} However, in September of that year he rescinded Shelton's endorsement and announced he would complete his term.{{cite web|url=https://www.cdp.org.au/blog/media-statement-regarding-lyle-shelton/|title=Media statement regarding Lyle Shelton|publisher=Christian Democratic Party|date=10 September 2021|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123112616/https://www.cdp.org.au/blog/media-statement-regarding-lyle-shelton/|url-status=dead}} In 2022, the Christian Democratic Party was dissolved.{{cite news |last1=March 29th |first1=Eternity News staff writers |title=Fred Nile says the Christian Democratic Party is officially dead - Eternity News |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/fred-nile-says-the-christian-democratic-party-is-officially-dead/ |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=www.eternitynews.com.au |date=29 March 2022 |language=en-AU}}

Following the CDP's dissolution, Nile said he planned to form a new party called Christ in Government (Fred Nile Alliance), but in May 2022 he instead joined the Seniors United Party of Australia.{{cite web |title=FRED NILE SAYS THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS OFFICIALLY DEAD |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/fred-nile-says-the-christian-democratic-party-is-officially-dead/ |publisher=Eternity News}}{{cite news |title=Fred Nile joins a new party, and introduces an Aboriginal rights bill - Eternity News |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/fred-nile-joins-a-new-party-and-introduces-an-aboriginal-rights-bill/ |work=Eternity News |date=19 May 2022 |language=en-AU}} The party was not registered with the New South Wales Electoral Commission and was deregistered with the Australian Electoral Commission less than two months later.{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Joanne |title=Notice of deregistration – Seniors United Party of Australia |url=https://aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/Deregistered_parties/files/web-notice-deregister-christian-democratic-party-fred-nile-group.pdf |website=AEC |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=5 September 2022}}

Nile renewed his retirement in October 2022, intending to give his final speech in parliament on 17 November. In February 2023, he announced his intention to nominate for re-election.{{cite news |last=Nilsson |first=Anton |date=2023-02-22 |title=Fred Nile un-retires from politics |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/02/22/fred-nile-returns-politics-silvana/ |work=Crikey |access-date=2023-03-11 |url-access=subscription}} He appeared on the ballot second to his wife Silvana with no party affiliation as Group G.{{cite web |url=https://elections.nsw.gov.au/elections/state-government-elections/2023-state-general-election/candidates/nsw/legislative%20council/22 |title=Legislative Council Group G |author= |date=2023-03-11 |website=NSW Electoral Commission |access-date=2023-03-11}} Having only two candidates, this group had no above-the-line voting square which experts considered to leave no prospect for election.{{Cite tweet |author=Antony Green |user=AntonyGreenElec |number=1633647162340040704 |date=2023-03-09 |title=Craig Kelly as well as Sylvana and Fred Nile ensured they could not be elected by nominating fewer than 15 Legislative Council candidates which meant they had no ATL box. #nswvotes #nswpol |access-date=2023-03-11}}

In the event, Fred and Silvana Nile (Group G) both received 2507 votes in all, which constituted 0.05% of the total votes/ballot papers cast. which was not enough to return Nile to the Legislative Council with his wife. New South Wales Electoral Commission: Legislative Council election results (18.04.2023) : http://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/SG2301/LC/state/cc/fp_summary

In July 1975, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National aired a program entitled "Pederasty" which featured Richard Neville candidly interviewing "three men in their thirties who admitted to sex relations with boys, and a teenage boy who said he had been involved in such relationships since he was 12".{{cite news |title=Police get complaint over ABC program |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald/162858572/ |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=15 July 1975}} Nile objected to the program's content and turned a tape of the show over to police.{{cite news |title=Tape of program for vice squad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-abc-pederasty/162858148/ |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 July 1975}}

In January 2015, Nile argued that male hostages who fled the Lindt Cafe siege should not receive bravery awards, as giving them one would "cheapen" it.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/lindt-cafe-hostages-who-fled-martin-place-siege-dont-deserve-bravery-awards-says-fred-nile-20150113-12nlep.html|title=Lindt cafe hostages who fled Martin Place siege don't deserve bravery awards, says Fred Nile|work=Sydney Morning Herald|author=Megan Levy|date=14 January 2015 |access-date=6 April 2015}} He stated during an interview on Channel Seven's Sunrise program that no hostages at Martin Place should receive bravery awards and their actions had potentially risked the lives of their fellow hostages. "Usually men try to protect the women and it seems that the men were saving their own skin and leaving the women there." He later added that he mis-spoke when he said that "the only man inside the café had been the man holding the gun."{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-only-man-really-there-was-the-man-with-the-gun-fred-nile-on-martin-place-siege-20150114-12qlcz.html|title=The only man really there was the man with the gun: Fred Nile on Martin Place siege|date=15 January 2015|author=Tom Decent|work=Sydney Morning Herald}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-siege-fred-nile-says-only-man-inside-lindt-cafe-was-gunman-man-monis/story-fni0cx12-1227185349058|title=Sydney siege: Fred Nile says only man inside Lindt Cafe was gunman Man Monis|author=David Campbell|date=15 January 2015|work=Daily Telegraph}}

In a media release dated 14 January 2015, Nile stated, "I fully support Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s recommendation to the Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, that Mrs Dawson and Mr Johnson should be honoured with posthumous bravery awards." He also recommended that proper consideration should be given to the actions of others involved, including other hostages and police.{{cite web|url=http://frednilemlc.com.au/save-yourself-or-women-and-children-first/|title=Save Yourself or Women and Children First|date=14 January 2015|author=Fred Nile|work=Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043143/http://frednilemlc.com.au/save-yourself-or-women-and-children-first/|url-status=dead}}

Nile has been described by Buzzfeed as "one of Australia's longest-running anti-gay campaigners".{{cite news |last1=Sainty |first1=Lane |title=Here's How One Of Australia's Oldest Anti-Gay Campaigners Is Arguing Against Same-Sex Marriage |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/back-at-it-again |access-date=5 March 2022 |work=BuzzFeed |date=18 August 2017 |language=en-au}} He is opposed to homosexuality which he has described as a "mental disorder"{{cite web|url=http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/homosexuality-should-classed-mental-disorder-nile/1947581/|title=Homosexuality should be classed as 'mental disorder': Nile|author=Jessica Grewal|date=17 Jul 2013|work=Sunshine Coast Daily}} and calls homosexuality a "lifestyle choice" that is "immoral, unnatural and abnormal".{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3755423.htm|title=Religion, Marriage & Euthanasia|date=27 May 2013|quote=the church for 2,000 years and longer has upheld marriage as it is and has also said that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural and so on.|author=Fred Nile|work=QandA (transcript)|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/07/30/australian-christian-politician-says-pinknews-writer-belongs-to-technicolour-taliban/|title=Australian Christian politician says PinkNews writer belongs to 'Technicolour' Taliban|author=Scott Roberts|work=PinkNews.co.uk|date=30 July 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.samesame.com.au/news/9815/WATCH-Fred-Niles-put-on-the-spot|title=WATCH: Fred Nile's put on the spot|author=Matt Akersten|date=28 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203013128/http://www.samesame.com.au/news/9815/WATCH-Fred-Niles-put-on-the-spot|archive-date=3 February 2015|df=dmy-all}} Nile has also stated that he was "totally opposed to the bashing of homosexuals ... totally opposed to any violence or attacks directed against homosexual men or lesbians ... opposed to strong (malicious) verbal attacks."{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/0/CA256D11000BD3AA4A25645E005AD863|title=Anti-Discrimination (Homosexual Vilification) Amendment Bill|work=Hansard|publisher=NSW Parliament|date=21 May 1993|access-date=30 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023080840/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/0/CA256D11000BD3AA4A25645E005AD863|archive-date=23 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}

Nile has opposed the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which he described as a "public parade of immorality and blasphemy".{{cite web|url=http://www.cdp.org.au/fed/mr/060304f.asp|title=God Forgive Sydney! – Sydney Mardi Gras|publisher=Christian Democratic Party|date=4 March 2006|access-date=1 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828232438/http://www.cdp.org.au/fed/mr/060304f.asp|archive-date=28 August 2007|df=dmy-all}} Nile objected to the "indecency and obscenity in various parts of the Mardi Gras" and stated that it reinforced "the worst stereotypes".{{cite web|url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/319/21176|title=Fred Nile debated at Sydney University|work=Green Left Weekly|location=Australia|date=27 May 1998|access-date=18 October 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023610/http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/319/21176|archive-date=30 September 2007|df=dmy-all}} Each year, he leads a prayer session against the event.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/the-power-of-one/2008/01/04/1198950075839.html|title=The power of one|date=5 January 2008 }}

In 2005, Nile called for the repealing of New South Wales anti-vilification law, claiming that the law is discriminatory and should either cover all citizens or be abolished. Nile claimed that the Homosexual Vilification Act was being abused to gag free speech and prevent open non-malicious public discussion.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2005/02/25/1310585.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729022823/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2005/02/25/1310585.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2012|title=Nile wants 'draconian' gay vilification laws abolished|location=Australia |work=ABC News|date=25 February 2005|access-date=1 November 2007}}

Following a 2011 announcement by Penny Wong, a Labor Party federal government minister, that her same-sex partner was pregnant,{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-09/penny-wong2c-partner-expecting-first-child/2831018 |title=Wong, partner expecting first child |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=9 August 2011 |last=Thompson |first=Jeremy |access-date=15 August 2011 }} Nile publicly denounced Wong's actions, saying "I'm totally against a baby being brought up by two mothers" and "She needn't have made it public. It just promotes their lesbian lifestyle and trying to make it natural where it's unnatural."{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/wong-baby-not-right-reverend-fred-nile/story-fn3dxity-1226111678394 |title=Wong baby not right – Reverend Fred Nile |work=The Australian |date=9 August 2011 |agency=AAP |access-date=15 August 2011 }} During a televised debate on the show Q&A, Nile told Gene Robinson, the first priest in an openly gay relationship to be consecrated a bishop in a major Christian denomination, that he "should be ashamed to be a bishop and going against the church".Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/iaHxBFwod9Q Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150123095040/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaHxBFwod9Q&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|last=Celebrity Universe|title=Lawrence Krauss vs Christians on Q&A – Amazing Debate|date=2014-08-24|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaHxBFwod9Q|access-date=2016-12-14}}{{cbignore}}

Nile used his newspaper, Family World News, to urge a no vote on the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

Nile is a frequent critic of the Australian Greens, claiming that they have exploited genuine concern for the environment to garner political influence to "push their agenda of social engineering".{{cite web|url=http://www.cdp.org.au/fed/mr/2009/090616f.asp|title=Bubble Bursts – Green Political Stunt Defeated|publisher=Christian Democratic Party|date=16 June 2009|access-date=2009-07-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913161636/http://www.cdp.org.au/fed/mr/2009/090616f.asp|archive-date=13 September 2009|df=dmy-all}} Nile has criticised the Greens for what he calls "duplicite political expediency", citing their push to legalise and fund "illicit drug habits for addicts" such as heroin{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/0/7A1487DB997A1916CA257135007933D1|title=Drug Misuse and Trafficking Amendment Bill|work=Hansard|publisher=NSW Parliament|date=7 March 2006|access-date=30 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023080859/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/0/7A1487DB997A1916CA257135007933D1|archive-date=23 October 2012|df=dmy-all}} and cannabis{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/0/8235F6A79A3C3252CA25719300054802|title=Drug Misuse and Trafficking Amendment (Hydroponic Cultivation) Bill|work=Hansard|publisher=NSW Parliament|date=8 June 2006|access-date=30 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023080908/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/0/8235F6A79A3C3252CA25719300054802|archive-date=23 October 2012|df=dmy-all}} in what he claims is contravention of publicised Greens policy.{{cite web|url=http://greens.org.au/node/769|title=Green Party Policy D2: Drugs, Substance Abuse and Addiction|publisher=Australian Green Party|date=15 November 2008|access-date=30 July 2009}} Nile has also labelled the Greens as being "anti-family", "anti-Christian", and "pagan", citing what he believes to be pro-pornography and pro-sex industry policies and their opposition to the current practice of opening parliament with daily prayers.

Nile once described the Greens as the "watermelon party – green on the outside but red on the inside, with a bit of a pink tinge."{{cite web|url=http://www.cdp.org.au/fed/mr/061122ff.asp|title=Pagan Green Party Threatens Future of Victoria|publisher=Christian Democratic Party|date=22 November 2006|access-date=1 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828231736/http://www.cdp.org.au/fed/mr/061122ff.asp|archive-date=28 August 2007|df=dmy-all}}

Following the Moscow theatre hostage crisis in 2002, Nile asked whether the then state minister of police would consider banning full body coverings, like those worn by the Chechen terrorists, from parliament and places of public gathering to prevent the carriage of weapons or explosive devices. Nile has attempted to pass bills in the NSW Legislative Council that would prohibit the wearing of full-face coverings, such as the hijab or niqāb, six times – 2006, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2019. Five of the bills failed to be passed, with only the latest bill still not lapsed.{{Cite web|title=Full-face Covering Prohibition Bill 2006|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/Profiles/full-face-covering-prohibition-bill-2006.aspx|last=Nile|first=Fred|date=23 November 2006|website=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=21 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Summary Offences Amendment (Full-face Coverings Prohibition) Bill 2010|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/Profiles/summary-offences-amendment-full-face-coverings-p_2.aspx|last=Nile|first=Fred|date=22 June 2010|website=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=21 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Summary Offences Amendment (Full-face Coverings Prohibition) Bill 2011|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/Profiles/summary-offences-amendment-full-face-coverings-p_3.aspx|last=Nile|first=Fred|date=4 May 2011|website=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=21 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Summary Offences Amendment (Full-face Coverings Prohibition) Bill 2014|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/Profiles/summary-offences-amendment-fullface-coverings-prohibition-bill-2014.aspx|last=Nile|first=Fred|date=11 September 2014|website=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=21 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Summary Offences Amendment (Full-face Coverings Prohibition) Bill 2017|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/Profiles/summary-offences-amendment-full-face-coverings-p_1.aspx|last=Nile|first=Fred|date=25 February 2019|website=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=21 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Summary Offences Amendment (Full-face Coverings Prohibition) Bill 2019|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/Profiles/summary-offences-amendment-fullface-coverings-prohibition-bill-2019.aspx|last=Nile|first=Fred|date=15 October 2019|website=Parliament of New South Wales|access-date=21 May 2020}}

On 10 March 2007, Nile raised concern that Australian embassy officials posted in Islamic nations were favouring the immigration of Muslim over Christian refugees. Nile called for a moratorium on Muslim immigration to Australia: "Australians deserve a breathing space so the situation can be carefully assessed", he told an audience in North Ryde.{{cite news |title=Stop Muslim immigration, NSW Christian Democrats say |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=11 March 2007 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1868622.htm | access-date=11 March 2007 }}

In 2010, Nile asked for the removal of the then Australian Muslim leader Sheik Taj El-Din Hilaly after the sheik placed the blame for sexual assault on the female victims.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646437-601,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026045320/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646437-601,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2006 |title=Muslim leader blames women for sex attacks |work=The Australian |access-date=13 July 2010 }}

Nile is opposed to Australian neopagans, having said that the Christian Democrats would "do what it can to stop pagan weddings and witchcraft or Wicca activities."{{cite web |last=Simpson |first=John |url=http://southern-star.whereilive.com.au/news/story/teen-to-wed-schoolgirl-in-pagan-ceremony/ |title=Teen to wed schoolgirl in pagan ceremony |work=Southern Star |location=Australia |date=28 June 2010 |access-date=13 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616023934/http://southern-star.whereilive.com.au/news/story/teen-to-wed-schoolgirl-in-pagan-ceremony/ |archive-date=16 June 2010 }}

Ethics classes were introduced by the Keneally Labor government as an alternative for children who did not want to attend traditional scripture classes.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/godless-ethics-classes-are-pointless/story-fn562txd-1225860481656 |title=Godless ethics classes are pointless |author=Shanahan, Angela |work=The Australian |date=1 May 2010 |access-date=5 August 2011 }} Prior to the 2011 state election, Barry O'Farrell made a pre-election pledge of not scrapping the ethics classes. Following the election, Nile, who was vehemently opposed to the ethics classes, introduced a private members bill proposing the abolition of the classes at the end of the 2011 calendar year. Debate on the bill was adjourned until 16 September;{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/premier-says-ethics-pledge-intact-despite-nile-process-20110802-1i9tx.html#ixzz1U96JAxYg |title=Premier says ethics pledge intact despite Nile 'process' |author=Nicholls, Sean |date=3 August 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=5 August 2011 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/class-of-his-own-nile-pushes-for-ethics-review-20110803-1ibpk.html |title=Class of his own: Nile pushes for ethics review |author=Nicholls, Sean |date=4 August 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=5 August 2011 }} and eventually Nile was successful in pushing the government to establish a parliamentary inquiry to examine whether ethics classes in NSW schools should be abolished.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/inquiry-threatens-ethics-class-experiment-20111111-1nbs8.html#ixzz1dUxitD8j |title= Inquiry threatens ethics class experiment |date=12 November 2011 |access-date=12 November 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |author=Nicholls, Sean }} Meanwhile, in introducing his bill into the Legislative Council, Nile gained headlines by arguing that the ethics course is based on a philosophy linked to Nazism and Communism.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/godless-ethics-led-to-nazism--nile-20110805-1iepq.html |title=Godless ethics led to Nazism: Nile |agency=AAP |date=5 August 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=5 August 2011 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/school-ethics-led-to-nazism-says-nile/story-e6frg6nf-1226109116880 |title=School ethics course linked to Nazism, says Nile |work=The Australian |agency=AAP |date=5 August 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011 }}

Nile served on the New South Wales' Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Issues (1988–1995), facilitating legislative reforms on adoption laws, drug abuse among youth, rape rates and pornography, domestic violence, youth violence, youth rural suicides, compensation for medically acquired AIDS/HIV victims, juvenile justice, births, deaths and marriage records.

From 2007 to 2019, Nile served as the assistant president of the New South Wales Legislative Council.{{cite NSW Parliament |id=2 |name=Reverend the Hon. (Fred) Frederick John NILE, ED LTh MLC |access-date=24 May 2019}}

Nile also served on the New South Wales' Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, the New South Wales' Joint Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform, the Parliamentary Select Committee into Firearms, the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee into the Management of Parliament, as chairman of the Cross City Tunnel Inquiry, chairman of the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 1, chairman of the Select Committee on Electoral and Political Party Funding and chairman of the Joint Select Committee on the Royal North Shore Hospital among many others. Until his defeat as a Legislative Council candidate, Nile served as a member of the Standing Committee on Social Issues.

• Congregational Federation of Australia
• List of people declared personae non gratae in Azerbaijan

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Fred Nile: A Biography Sydney: Strand: 2001: {{ISBN|1-876825-79-0}}

• [http://frednilemlc.com.au/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043006/http://frednilemlc.com.au/ |date=2 February 2017 }}
• [http://www.cdp.org.au/ Christian Democratic Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329142933/http://www.cdp.org.au/ |date=29 March 2022 }}
• [http://www.seniorsunitedparty.org.au/ Seniors United Party of Australia]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nile, Fred}}

Category:1934 births

Category:Australian Army soldiers

Category:Living people

Category:Christian Democratic Party (Australia) politicians

Category:Spouses of Australian politicians

Category:Politicians from Sydney

Category:Australian monarchists

Category:Australian anti-abortion activists

Category:Christian critics of Islam

Category:Australian critics of Islam

Category:Australian anti-same-sex-marriage activists

Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council

Category:Australian Congregationalist ministers

Category:20th-century Congregationalist ministers

Category:21st-century Australian politicians

Category:20th-century Australian politicians

Category:21st-century Congregationalist ministers