Media Release
Wednesday February 14th 2018
PETITION TO RUDDOCK INQUIRY CALLS FOR END TO LEGAL DISCRIMINATION
Equality advocated have presented the Ruddock religious freedom inquiry with almost 5,500 signatures on a petition calling for the repeal of all anti-discrimination exemptions allowing LGBTI people to be sacked or refused service by faith-based schools, hospitals and welfare agencies.
Just.equal today submitted 5,428 signatures opposing discrimination in the name of religious freedom as part of its submission to the Religious Freedom Review chaired by former Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"It is vital that the Ruddock Inquiry see that substantial numbers of people are alert to the way in which 'religious freedom' is being used and abused to justify discrimination."
"We thank all those people who stood up for equality by signing the just.equal petition."
"In the US 'religious freedom' is being used as camouflage to weaken discrimination protections against LGBTI people, and many Australians do not want to see that culture war imported here."
"As well as opposing any new discrimination exemptions, the petition calls for the removal of existing exemptions that allow discrimination against LGBTI people.'
Mr Croome said that there are examples in Australia of laws that do not allow discrimination specifically against LGBTI people.
"For twenty years, the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act has operated well without any LGBTI-specific exemptions and we believe it should be adopted as a model by other states and the Commonwealth."
The Ruddock Inquiry is currently holding non-public hearings in various state capitals.
At least one witness has raised concerns about the Inquiry's secrecy and alleged bias against LGBTI equality. More details here:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/08/philip-ruddocks-religious-freedom-review-holding-secret-hearings
http://junkee.com/ruddock-review-biased/146027
To see a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
