The government indicated last year that it would order the review after Prime Minister Scott Morrison failed to meet his own deadline for removing the exemptions by the end of 2018.
“Religious freedom is a vital aspect of Australian society and religious communities should feel respected and protected,” the committee’s report states, recommending legislation to remove discrimination exemptions not be passed and for the issue to undergo another inquiry.
“This is not some epidemic of gays being expelled. Rather than responding to a pressing social need, this bill, we view, has been proposed in support of a long-term political strategy advanced by a vocal minority.”
Macdonald is the chair of the Senate committee due to report next week on an inquiry into the bill which would introduce protections for LGBTI students at faith-based and independent schools.
