Just.Equal Australia says many LGBTIQ+ Australians will feel betrayed by Labor's decision not to vote against the Religious Discrimination Bill if the Party fails to have debate on the Bill delayed.

 

The Bill will override all other state and federal Discrimination Act, allowing denigration and discrimination in the name of "religious freedom" against people with disability, LGBTIQ+ people, unmarried partners, members of minority faiths and non-religious Australians. 

 

Most of the discrimination laws that will be weakened are Labor legacies.

 

Just.Equal Australia spokesperson, Brian Greig said,

 

"With the help of moderate Liberals, Labor could kill off this harmful legislation right now by voting it down."

 

"But it has decided to prolong the pain of all those Australians whose rights will be taken away."

 

"Labor's motivation is to appeal to religious voters who will never vote for it, rather than stopping the very real disadvantage this Bill will inflict on minority communities whose votes it has taken for granted for too long."

 

"Many LGBTIQ+ Australians will see Labor's decision to not oppose the Bill as a betrayal of Labor's legacy, minority communities and LGBTIQ+ equality."

 

Labor says it will revisit its position on the Bill once there has been a fully-fledged inquiry.

 

Just.Equal Australia recently launched a webform that allows those concerned about the Religious Discrimination Bill to email Labor members urging them to oppose the Religious Discrimination Bill.

 

The webform can be found here: www.equal.org.au/tell_labor_to_kill_the_bill

 

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