Controversy over Hillsong links to cultural institutions

Several of Sydney’s top cultural institutions have fallen foul of employees and gay rights activists, who are upset that the venues have awarded catering contracts to a company with strong links to the controversial Hillsong Church.

Employees of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Opera Australia say contracts for food and beverage services at the venues have been signed with Fresh Catering, which is run by Hillsong Church identity Peter McCloskey, who previously trained as a pastor and is an active member of the Hillsong City Campus at Waterloo.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Carriageworks and the Sydney Theatre Company have also signed contracts with the burgeoning catering business, which was founded by Mr McCloskey, who is the company’s Managing Director.

Hillsong has drawn extensive criticism as a proponent of evangelical ‘corporate Christianity’ and for its views on homosexuality and abortion.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an MCA employee told City News the organisation’s use of Fresh Catering for food and beverage services had upset some staff members.

“The way we see it, this company is strongly affiliated with Hillsong, which has unacceptable, extremist views,” she said.

“The MCA is a publicly-funded organisation in a secular country and we don’t feel it’s right to support organisations which teach that homosexuality is unnatural and sinful, and are against abortion and women’s rights.”

A spokesperson for the MCA refused to answer any questions about the matter.

An Opera Australia employee said the use of Fresh Catering at events such as the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in March and April had also caused controversy there.

“There’s certainly the feeling among some staff that with the opera having a strong gay presence, Fresh Catering is an odd choice,” he said.

An Opera Australia spokesperson said: “Opera Australia is unaware of connections between Fresh Catering and Hillsong Church. The company awarded Fresh Catering a contract based on the quality of their expertise and relevant experience.”

However, activist group Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) said the links to Hillsong were relevant.

“Both the MCA and Opera Australia have benefited from public money, but award contracts to companies that can use their profits however they like. Hillsong is known to encourage entrepreneurial members to finance all sorts of archaic programmes against gays and women,” said CAAH spokesperson Cat Rose.

Queer rights activist and Socialist Alliance spokesperson Rachel Evans urged action to break the catering contracts.

“Hillsong’s homophobia is proven. They don’t just espouse bigoted ideas. They act on them,” she said, highlighting their previous support for ‘gay conversion therapy’.

“It’s inspiring that workers at the Opera House and MCA are organising against [the] contracts. These workers should be supported by the LGBTI community and their union. Such support will strengthen the campaign to break the contracts.”

But Karl Hand, a pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church, which has a specific outreach to LGBTI communities, took a more moderate view.

“A connection to the Hillsong Church alone is not enough to raise a red flag,” said Rev Hand.

“There would have to be some actual evidence of discrimination before I’d be concerned,” he said.

Fresh Catering advised that Mr McCloskey was overseas and unavailable for comment.