‘Don’t ignore us’: Faith leaders demand quick action on religious freedoms

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‘Don’t ignore us’: Faith leaders demand quick action on religious freedoms

By Matthew Knott and Lisa Visentin

Faith leaders have urged the new Labor government to move quickly to introduce legislation outlawing religious discrimination rather than let the issue languish until the last minute as it did under Scott Morrison.

The Coalition’s attempt to pass laws against religious discrimination failed in February after moderate Liberal MPs crossed the floor to support an amendment protecting transgender students from being expelled from religious schools.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

LGBTQ rights groups, meanwhile, want the government to pass separate legislation within its first 100 days protecting gay and transgender students in religious schools against discrimination.

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the government had promised to pass religious protections before the next election, but would not commit to a more specific timeline.

“We’ve made it really clear that we are going to legislate to protect against discrimination on the grounds of religious belief and we’re going to do it this term,” Dreyfus said.

“I’m not going to give you a month.”

Dreyfus confirmed the government would legislate to protect LGBT students by changing the Sex Discrimination Act, which allows schools to discriminate against students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

He said the two issues – religious discrimination laws and stronger protections for LGBT students – would be addressed together, following the approach of the previous government.

Michael Stead, the Anglican Bishop of South Sydney, said legislation was needed because Australia has significant problems with Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and discrimination against Christians.

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“It’s definitely on the rise and there’s no federal protection against it,” he said. “It’s the missing jigsaw puzzle piece in our national anti-discrimination laws.”

Stead urged Dreyfus to immediately restart an Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into the issue that was put on hold by the previous government.

Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, agreed that the inquiry would provide a foundation for a less emotive, more fact-based debate around the issue.

“There is a need for it and we’d like to see it dealt with sooner rather than later,” Wertheim said of legislation protecting against religious discrimination.

Keysar Trad, chief executive officer of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said: “Before the election the Prime Minister made very impassioned statements about protections for religion and we certainly want him to move forward on that commitment.

“The government should not ignore the needs of faith communities who represent a majority of Australians.”

Keysar Trad says it is important for religious schools to be able to teach in accordance with their faith.

Keysar Trad says it is important for religious schools to be able to teach in accordance with their faith. Credit: Jacky Ghossein

Trad said it was vital religious schools continue to be able to teach in accordance with their faith – including on matters of sexuality.

Surinder Jain, national vice president of the Hindu Council of Australia, said he wanted to see existing laws banning discrimination on the basis of race or gender extended to religion.

“The absence of these protections can cause anguish to various communities,” he said.

However, Jain cautioned against extending protections too far by allowing religious institutions, such as Christian aged care homes and hospitals, to give preferential treatment to employees from particular faiths.

Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown wants the government to pass legislation protecting LGBT students from expulsion within its first 100 days.

Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown wants the government to pass legislation protecting LGBT students from expulsion within its first 100 days. Credit: Eddie Jim

Anna Brown, chief executive of LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Australia said: “Labor must avoid the mistakes of the previous government that instead introduced a Religious Discrimination Bill that would have wound back protections for women, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disability and people of faith, undermining inclusive workplaces and access to judgment-free healthcare.”

She continued: “While Labor’s statements prior to the election are a welcome indication it is committed to ensuring protections for people of faith don’t result in discrimination against others, the government must ensure any reform raises the standard for everyone and doesn’t override existing protections.”

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