Call for ‘Tasmanian model’

Tasmanian gay rights advocates have welcomed a Senate report into proposed national anti-discrimination law, but says it falls short of recommending the Commonwealth adopt “the Tasmanian model” whereby faith-based organisations are subject to the same anti-discrimination laws as other organisations.

The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act, considered the most comprehensive in Australia, does not allow faith-based schools, employment agencies or charities to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation.

“The committee’s recommendation falls far short of ‘the Tasmanian model’,” Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said.

“In Tasmania, religious bodies are not permitted to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity in any way whatsoever, and this has worked well for over a decade.

“I would be appalled if federal legislation took a backwards step and allowed anti-LGBTI prejudice to have free rein in the workplace.”

It is now up to the federal government to accept or reject the report’s recommendations before moving ahead with the legislation.