Media Release
Wednesday June 26th 2019

NEW CAMPAIGN GIVES EQUAL RIGHTS SUPPORTERS A VOICE
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM NO EXCUSE FOR DISCRIMINATION


Ahead of the introduction of religious freedom and discrimination legislation, Australians have a new way to tell their leaders to oppose discrimination in the name of religion and support equal rights for all.

LGBTIQ+ advocacy group, just.equal, has launched a new online campaign that includes a petition and email capacity aimed at Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese, Richard di Natale, Jacqui Lambie and the Centre Alliance.

The petition and webform call on Australia's political leaders to oppose any "religious freedom" law that has the potential to weaken discrimination protections for LGBTIQ+ people, and instead support a national Human Rights Act that protects everyone equally.

Just.equal spokesperson, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said,

"The ABC Vote Compass found that only 1% of Australians believe religious freedom is under threat and needs protection."

"Yet some conservative religious figures insist they should have the 'freedom' to discriminate against, and speak hatefully about, LGBTIQ+ people."
 
"What they want isn't religious freedom, it's religious privilege."

"We call on Anthony Albanese, Richard di Natale, Jacqui Lambie and Centre Alliance to take this opportunity to advance a Human Rights Act to protect all Australians, rather than elevate one group to the detriment of all others."

"It's time our leaders heard from those Australians who support equal rights for everyone, not special rights for some."

The Federal Government is expected to introduce legislation dealing with religious discrimination and freedom when Parliament returns next week.

Mr Hinton-Teoh said,

"We support legislation protecting people of faith from discrimination, but we will strongly oppose any legislation that allows discrimination in the name of religion." 

The campaign can be found at www.equal.org.au/religious_freedom_or_a_new_second_class_citizen
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Ivan Hinton-Teoh on 0419 124 826.