Just.Equal Australia has welcomed Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) recommendations that the nation's faith-based schools not be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQA+ staff or students.

 

The ALRC's report on existing federal discrimination exemptions for faith-based schools was released today and follows the Albanese Government's announcement that it will seek Coalition support before moving ahead with any reform.

 

Just.Equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

 

"We welcome the ALRC's recommendations, based as they are on human rights principles and on the experience in most of the states where discrimination by faith-based schools is already prohibited."

 

"We are disappointed the ALRC inquiry did not cover faith-based hospitals, charities and other services, but we hope this report will lay the foundation for the removal of their special exemptions as well."

 

"We believe exemptions proposed by the ALRC allowing faith-based schools to discriminate on the ground of religious affiliation should be as tight as possible to ensure they do not allow anti-LGBTQA+ discrimination by another means."

 

Mr Croome said the Government's decision not to proceed without bi-partisan support is inexplicable given the reform already has majority support in Parliament.

 

"The Prime Minister Albanese has given a veto over protecting LGBTQA+ students and teachers from discrimination to a Coalition party-room that has consistently failed to support this much-needed reform."

 

"This is deeply disappointing given that removing existing exemptions will improve the lives of vulnerable students and hardworking teachers, was a Labor party election promise, has been endorsed by the nation's leading law reform body and already has the support of a parliamentary majority."

 

"We urge Mr Albanese to stop procrastinating, act on the ALRC's recommendations and proceed with amendments to prohibit discrimination as soon as possible."

 

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