Unbalanced Religious Discrimination Bill must be opposed by Parliament
The Human Rights Law Centre is urging Parliament to oppose the Morrison Government’s deeply unbalanced Religious Discrimination Bill, which is being introduced into Parliament today.
Adrianne Walters, Legal Director, Human Rights Law Centre, said:
“Our laws should protect people of faith and no faith from discrimination, without granting religious organisations new licence to discriminate against others. Women, LGBTIQ+ communities, people with disability, school students and people of faith should not fear unfair treatment and harm. The Morrison Government’s proposed law fails on all fronts.”
“The Bill has far-reaching implications for all people in Australia. It contains alarming provisions that have never been seen in Australian anti-discrimination laws. It goes far beyond the important goal of protecting people of faith from discrimination and in doing so, it fails to fairly balance the right to equality with the freedom of religion.”
Of particular concern are provisions that:
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Allow people to make derogatory, offensive and harmful statements of belief, including in workplaces, schools and health services, and that override federal, state and territory anti-discrimination laws, thereby denying victims an important avenue for justice.
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Grant unprecedented licence to religious bodies, including schools and charities, to discriminate against people of a different faith or no faith in a range of circumstances.
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Attempt to override new legislation before the Victorian Parliament that seeks to provide better protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ people, women and others.
“Our laws should promote respect and inclusion. It is extraordinary that the Morrison Government is proposing a law that would trample on hard-fought anti-discrimination protections and that would create an authorising environment for people to make harmful statements to others. We urge the Parliament to oppose this deeply unbalanced Bill,” said Walters.
Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash
Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Engagement Director, 0419 100 519, michelle.bennett@hrlc.org.au
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