FAITH-BASED HOSPITALS AND SERVICES SHOULD BE PART OF DEAL WITH COALITION
"A young homeless gay man, a non-binary person in a hospital ward, a hard-working nurse in a same-sex relationship, or a trans customer of a charity shop should not fear discrimination because the service they access or work for is faith-based." - Rodney Croome
Just.Equal Australia has called on Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to include faith-based hospitals and other services in Labor's negotiations with the Coalition over removing exemptions that allow discrimination against LGBTQA+ people by faith-based schools.
This morning Mr Dreyfus responded to a question about the Government's plan to seek bi-partisan support for removing discrimination exemptions by declaring his opposition to all discrimination.
He said: "We've made it really clear that, as far as we are concerned, no Australian should be discriminated against because of who they are. All Australians should be able to live free from discrimination. This is something we've been working on for a long time, we've been consulting about for a long time." (see attachement from Guardian Live for transcription of interview).
Just.Equal Australia spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"We are deeply disappointed by the Government's decision to give the Opposition a veto over protecting LGBTQA+ people from discrimination in faith-based schools."
"But if the Government is determined to go down this path, we urge it to include faith-based hospitals, employment agencies, charities and other services, alongside schools, in its negotations with the Opposition."
“These tax-payer funded services, managed by faith groups, also have special exemptions allowing discriminate against LGBTQA+ staff and volunteers."
“If discrimination against LGBTQA+ teachers and students is wrong and should be outlawed, the same principle must apply to all faith-based services."
"This comprehensive approach is the only way Mr Dreyfus can honour his stated commitment to ensuring no Australian is discriminated against because of who they are'."
Mr Croome said staff and clients of faith-based hospitals, welfare agencies and charities deserve the same discrimination protections as all other Australians.
"A young homeless gay man, a non-binary person in a hospital ward, a hard-working nurse in a same-sex relationship, or a trans customer of a charity shop should not fear discrimination because the service they access or work for is faith-based."
"As Mr Dreyfus has said, all Australians should be able to live free from discrimination. We agree with his principled statement, but urge the Government to follow through with practical action to make it a reality."
For a copy of this statement on the web, click
here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
