Attorney-General Rob Hulls sneaks another anti-religious Bill into Parliament
Victoria's Attorney-General Rob Hulls introduced a bill to amend Victoria's Equal Opportunity Act (EOA) into the Parliament last week on 10 March. It is called the Equal Opportunity Bill 2010.
The Bill will restricts the freedom for religious bodies and schools to act according to their beliefs. Religious bodies and schools will have to justify - to the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission - as to why it is 'reasonably necessary' for them to discriminate in order to "avoid injury to the religious sensitivities of adherents of the religion".
Religious schools will be further restricted by the inclusion an 'inherent requirement' clause - if passed, schools would have to justify - to VCAT - why they insisted on a staff member being a Christian, not being a homosexual, etc.
The proposed changes also give much more power to the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to "conduct investigations" - even when a complaint hasn't been made - and have their 'compliance notice' enforced by VCAT!
Mr Hulls refused to allow more than the standard two weeks for public consultation, and the bill is expected to be debated in the Legislative Assembly as early as 24 March 2010.
Labels: anti-catholic, Equal Opportunity Bill 2010, rob hulls, VCAT
posted by Voxaustralis @ 14:14
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Background to the implementation of this Bill dated 27 September 2009 from http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/868273/church-can-reject-gays-single-mums
Gay rights advocates have criticised slated changes to Victoria's equal opportunity laws that will continue to allow religious organisations to discriminate against gays and single parents.
State Attorney-General Rob Hulls says a new Equal Opportunity Bill will be introduced into parliament next year.
Under the changes, religious groups will no longer be able to discriminate on the grounds of race, disability, age, physical features, political belief or breastfeeding.
But they can continue to discriminate on grounds including sexuality or marital status if it is in accordance with their beliefs.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome says the right to employment and education is more important than pandering to religious prejudice.
"Too often this issue is seen as gay rights versus religious freedom when, in fact, it is about the right to a job you're qualified for, to attend the school of your choosing and to receive essential services," he said.
Australian Christian Lobby director Rob Ward said some of the options canvassed as part of a review of exemptions to the Equal Opportunity Act, had they been implemented, would have had serious repercussions for churches, religious schools and church-related organisations.
"Faith-based groups throughout Victoria have been united in their strong concern about a number of the options being looked at as they would have undermined the very core of these bodies by preventing them from upholding their beliefs in terms of who they employ and, therefore, how they operate," he said.
"It is good to see the Victorian government respecting those concerns and the basic right to religious freedom in this state."
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission chief executive Helen Szoke said the proposed revamp of the law was a positive step towards a better balance between religious freedom and anti-discrimination.
She said she was pleased religious bodies would soon have to demonstrate how employing someone of a particular religion was an inherent requirement of a job.
"Religious schools or religious charities, for example, will have to show how belonging to a particular religion is relevant to the job they are trying to fill," Dr Szoke said.
"In the case of religious education teachers or chaplains, this will be clear. However, in the case of office staff or the maths teacher it will need to be made explicit how religion is relevant to the job."
The review of the Equal Opportunity Act was conducted by parliament's Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee.
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