Tuesday February 27th 2018
 

 

Equality advocates say Philip Ruddock should stand down as the chair of the religious freedom review following his appointment as head of the NSW Liberal Party.

 

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

 

"Mr Ruddock's appointment to a leading role in the Liberal Party raises questions about the independence of the religious freedom review he is in charge of."

 

"Given the controversial issues the review is dealing with it must be above suspicion of bias and partisanship."

 

"The only influence on the religious freedom review should be the evidence it takes."

 

Numerous news reports have already aired allegations of bias against the review.

 

The latest report alleges the review panel took evidence at a conference stacked with advocates who believe anti-discrimination law should be rolled back to allow greater "religious freedom". The review panel has not attended any LGBTI or progressive Christian conferences.

 

Here are links to news reports about the religious freedom review's alleged bias...

 

http://junkee.com/ruddock-review-biased/146027

http://junkee.com/ruddock-religious-freedom-review-questioned-lgbtiq-health-claims/146944

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/08/philip-ruddocks-religious-freedom-review-holding-secret-hearings

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/religious-freedom-guests-promised-no-record-of-secret-meetings-with-ruddock-s-panel

https://www.buzzfeed.com/joshtaylor/the-highly-secretive-review-into-religious-freedom-in?utm_term=.qqoElD75q#.qbJJbaQed

 

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