Media Release

Tuesday June 5th 2018

 

 

The Australians Government should lead by example when it comes to LGBTI discrimination in the name of religion, reducing rather than increasing the legal scope for such discrimination. 

 

The call was made today by just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, before the Foreign Affairs and Trade parliamentary committee which is inquiring into protections for religious freedom. The inquiry is chaired by conservative Catholic Liberal MP, Kevin Andrews.

 

Mr Croome said,

 

"From Russia to Uganda to Indonesia there is growing persecution of LGBTI people in the name of religion."

 

"Australia must advocate internationally against this persecution."

 

"Australia should also lead by example, which means reducing the legal license religious bodies have to discriminate against LGBTI people rather than increasing it as some church leaders are calling for."

 

Mr Croome said the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act provides a good benchmark for balancing LGBTI equality and religious freedom.

 

"The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act allows faith-based bodies to discriminate on the grounds on religion in some circumstances, but never on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status."

 

"This is a model for laws in others states and federally."

 

Mr Croome appeared at today's hearing in Hobart alongside former Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks, and University of Tasmania religious freedom and discrimination expert, Anja Hilkemeijer.

 

The speakers endorsed a national Human Rights Act as a way to ensure there is a balance between different rights. 

 

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here