Posts tagged anti-discrimination

“Labor wants to see this bill passed before Parliament rises for the Christmas break – there is no reason why kids and their families should have to wait any longer for certainty.”

34 schools signed a letter from the Anglican Diocese of Sydney claiming there is “little evidence” LGBTI students or staff are being discriminated against in schools.

Current and former Anglican school students signed the open letter to 34 schools who are demanding their right to discriminate against LGBTI staff and students be upheld.

“It’s deeply troubling that instead of seeking to repair the church’s relationship with the LGBTIQ community… your church is now seeking the power to legalise bullying against LGBTI students and teachers.”

The draft bill makes provision for decisions made to protect “the religious susceptibilities of adherents of that religion or creed” and in instances where the school “had regard to the best interests of the student”.

“Because the federal government has changed its definition of marriage, the policy makes clear the church’s doctrine of marriage has not changed and that property use scenarios relate only to man and woman marriage.”

“Our trans and gender diverse students just want to be able to attend school with their friends like every other student without fear and discrimination.”

The Labor Party has since committed to reforming laws which allow religious schools to discriminate against staff and students on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity.

“The idea that taxpayer funded religious schools should be able to expel a student who comes out is completely out of step with modern community expectations.”

Shelton said it is “way too soon to be making such unequivocal statements” after the review found that marriage equality has not impacted religious freedoms.