Given the unique aspects of the proposed bill, there should be a longer consultation period to examine why religious freedoms should be prioritised over other freedoms.
Attorney-General Christian Porter unveiled the draft legislation at Sydney’s Great Synagogue on Thursday.
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While pushing for changes to increase protections for religious belief, the government has not yet answered if that should extend to being allowed to discriminate against LGBTI people.
Scott Morrison has promised to protect people against discrimination because of their religious faith, and says he wants to do it before the election.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison plans to create a new post of Freedom of Religion Commissioner, because he says many people of religion “feel the wheels closing in”.
The results of the SSM vote brought great jubilation on November 15, 2017- but the fight is not yet over.
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The marriage equality debate brought the rights of LGBT Australians to the fore - now we need to turn our attention to the ways they are still discriminated against.
A federal Religious Discrimination Act would introduce important protections for Australia’s religiously diverse population.
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Australians already enjoy a relatively high level of religious freedom. However, discrimination and vilification on the basis of people’s faith still exists.
The Ruddock report recommends the existing right of religious schools to turn away LGBT+ students and teachers be maintained, but that further constraints be added.
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As the Ruddock review of religious freedom is about to report, we need a more sophisticated understanding of what religion is and the ways its expression can be curtailed - or can curtail others.
The ‘gay wedding cake’ dilemma has become the go-to hypothetical when examining how religious freedom and LBGTI rights can co-exist.
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The government’s review of religious freedom protections must ensure that any additional protection of religious freedom does not further undermine the right to non-discrimination.