John Howard warns against ‘politics of discrimination’ in religious freedom debate
Howard’s submission to the religious freedom review said schools with mandatory education on sexuality and gender should be defunded.
Howard’s submission to the religious freedom review said schools with mandatory education on sexuality and gender should be defunded.
“It is not fair on the larger school unit that they have to change and accept all because of the desires of one,” Joyce said.
“I’m worried that this will go down the same route as the marriage equality debate. Someone will be suggesting a plebiscite next,” Tanya Plibersek said of the delays.
“Before the Wentworth by-election the Prime Minister promised he would remove discrimination from schools as a matter of urgency. This is yet another lie from the Prime Minister.”
The Greens have tabled an amendment to the legislation to ensure that LGBTI teachers and staff at religious schools are also protected from discrimination.
The report rejected several of the leaked recommendations from the Philip Ruddock-led religious freedom review.
“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.
“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”.