CALL ON TURNBULL TO ENSURE RUDDOCK INQUIRY TRANSPARENT AND UNBIASED
Equality advocates have called on Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to intervene and ensure the Ruddock "religious freedom" inquiry is public, transparent and unbiased.
The call comes after revelations by the Guardian that the Inquiry is conducting secret hearings, and that witnesses feel the panel is unfriendly to LGBTI community concerns.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"The Inquiry can't expect its findings to be taken seriously if it continues to operate secretly, without transparency, and under allegations of bias."
"We call on Malcolm Turnbull to step in, open up the process and remove any hint of bias by appointing an LGBTI community representative to the panel."
Earlier this year the Inquiry stated submissions would be made public after news reports they would be kept under wraps.
The Inquiry was established last year in response to proposals made during the marriage equality debate to allow religious institutions and individuals to legally discriminate against LGBTI people.
Submissions to the inquiry close next Wednesday February 14th.
For the Guardian report, click
here
To sign the just.equal petition to the Inquiry, click here: www.equal.org.au/ruddock_inquiry
To send your own submission, click here: https://pmc.gov.au/domestic-policy/religious-freedom-review
For a copy of this statement on the web, click
here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
