Australia’s religious freedoms appear to be at risk with new proposed anti-discrimination legislation. Christian schools, churches, and charities are concerned that fundamental human rights protected under international law are about to be taken away.
The Albanese government is pushing for changes based on a report by the Australian Law Reform Commission and amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act. Yet despite faith leaders’ concerns, their warnings seem to be falling on deaf ears.
The Oppositions’ Stance on Proposed New Laws
What is the Federal Opposition doing to counter these changes at both federal and state levels? Senator Michaelia Cash, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and shadow Attorney-General, as well as shadow minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, recently joined us on 20Twenty to discuss the opposition’s stance.
Church leaders have submitted detailed responses to the Australian Law Reform Commission, which were then forwarded to the Prime Minister. However, these submissions seem to have been ignored. Some are saying they feel completely disregarded.
‘The is unfortunately correct,’ says Senator Cash. ‘I have been travelling around Australia, talking to people of faith across the board. Whether it’s Christians, Jewish people, Islamic people, Buddhists or Hindus, I have personally met with them. I have been the one taking them through the government’s legislation, because Mr. Dreyfus and Mr. Albanese refuse to release their legislation publicly.’
Significant Setback for Faith Based Groups
Senator Cash says the overwhelming message from faith groups is that the proposed legislation would be a significant setback for them. She, along with many Australians, finds this unacceptable.
According to Senator Cash, the legislation does pick up the Australian Law Reform Commission’s recommendation. ‘Basically what Mr. Dreyfus and Mr. Albanese propose to do with the legislation is remove all express protections that allow a school to manage teacher conduct, which they can currently do in good faith. This is important because religious schools, regardless of faith, provide a choice to parents in Australia as to how they would like their children educated.’
Faith-based schools exist because there is a demand for them in Australia, reflected in their growing enrolments. Parents choose these schools to have their children educated in an environment that upholds their religious beliefs.
Current laws allow these schools to hire staff who share their faith—Catholic schools can preference Catholic teachers, Anglican schools Anglican teachers, and Jewish schools Jewish teachers. These staff are expected to uphold and model the school’s religious values, allowing parents to choose the educational and moral framework for their children.
Parent’s Rights Should be Protected
‘I have given very, very clear feedback to Mr. Dreyfus as the Attorney-General,’ says Senator Cash, ‘that we absolutely do not support this bill. The LNP has always sought to protect freedom of religion. We brought forward a package, under the former government, to act to protect freedom of religion in line with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.’
Senator Cash believes the current issue is that the proposal by Attorney-General Mr. Dreyfus and Prime Minister Mr. Albanese would set faith communities back rather than forward. She argues that under a Labor government, faith-based schools, in particular, do not have a future.
‘I think that is absolutely disgraceful,’ she says. ‘That a Labor government would seek to compromise parental choice in this country and not respect the right of a parent to choose how their child is educated. I know we are so lucky to live in a country whereby you don’t have to send your child to a faith-based school. But if you choose to, you can’.
‘We should respect parental choice in this country and uphold it, not undermine it.’
Listen to Senator Cash’s full interview on 20Twenty below:
