LGBTI equality advocates say they will seek to have the Senate block any new law that waters down existing discrimination protections under the cover of “religious freedom”.

 

The call comes in response to a commitment from new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to introduce laws to “protect religious freedom”. 

 

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

 

“There is no threat to religious freedom so we fear the real purpose of any new law will be to take existing discrimination protections away from LGBTI Australians.”

 

“We will lobby the Senate to oppose any new law that waters down existing discrimination protections.”

 

Mr Croome said the Morrison Government has no mandate to weaken discrimination protections by “protecting religious freedom”.

 

“Last year Australians voted overwhelmingly for equality and any move to weaken LGBTI discrimination protections would run against that.”

 

Polling conducted by Galaxy/YouGov in October last year found that, in the event of a Yes vote, 78% of Australians wanted LGBTI people treated the same under the law as other people. This included 98% of Yes voters and 43% of No voters 

 

A Galaxy/YouGov poll conducted in February last year found 65% opposition to laws allowing LGBTI people to be refused services based on the service-provider's religious belief.

 

News report on Mr Morrison's pledge: 

 

To see this statement on the web, click here