Dear Prime Minister,

Australians believe in the inherent dignity of all people and that in a country like ours the laws should protect all of us, equally. 

A significant priority for our community during the second term of your government is to finally resolve the ongoing impasse on reforms to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA). 

It is reasonable and just to expect that the state will protect equally the rights and dignity of every Australian, and especially in educational settings. As the law now stands, there are students at religious schools around the country who can be legally suspended or expelled, denied leadership opportunities or forced into ‘counselling’ merely because of their sexuality, gender or other purely personal factors. Likewise, teachers can be fired, denied promotions or forced out of employment. Many choose to hide their identities out of fear. 

We know these overbroad carve-outs are being exploited because we have spoken to and supported many of those who have been harmed. Most cruelly, many of the LGBTQ+ victims involved are also people of deep religious faith. 

In its 2024 Report, ‘Maximising the Realisation of Human Rights: Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws’, the Australian Law Reform Commission established a roadmap for reform, recommending that the SDA be amended to support staff and students in religious schools. Significantly, the ALRC found this would not undermine the ability of schools to maintain their religious freedom and integrity. 

It is clearly possible for people to have and maintain their religious beliefs while also accommodating the rights of others, including LGBTQ+ people and those of different faiths. 

Over the last decade there have been multiple reviews, inquiries and reports – and almost as many attempts to change the law. Each time this takes a human toll on an under-resourced sector and the communities we represent, with those who have been harmed forced to tell such traumatic stories time and again in the hope change will happen. They gain nothing personally from doing this. On the contrary, they are forced to relive some of the worst experiences of their lives out of a desire to protect others from the harm that befell them.  

The threat of reversal of anti-discrimination protections in Queensland and the Northern Territory underscores the need and urgency for national action. 

We know there is widespread concern in the community that these exemptions go far beyond what is necessary for the protection of religious freedoms and have a devastating impact on the dignity and rights of individuals. 

You made a commitment before the 2022 election to protect students and teachers, and your government has recently been returned with an even greater majority for its social and economic agenda.  

You said in your election victory speech that kindness was not weakness. We ask that you apply such kindness and compassion to some of the most vulnerable among us who are being punished purely because of who they are - and do so not just for their sake but for all Australians who believe in equality and fairness.

Signatories

• ACON
• ACOSS
• Albany Pride
• Aleph Melbourne
• Anglicare NT
• Australian Council of Social Service
• Australian Lesbian Medical Association (ALMA)
• Australian Services Union SA + NT Branch
• Dowson Turco Lawyers
• Dr Belinda Chaplin
• Drummond Street Services/ Queerspace
• Fair Agenda
• Fay Fuller Foundation
• Goulburn Valley Pride Inc.
• Hunter Gender Alliance
• Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU)
• Inner City Legal Centre
• International Women's Development Agency (IWDA)
• Out Southwest Inc.
• PJ Governance
• PTYE (Parents for Trans Youth Equity)
• Queensland Council of Social Service
• Rainbow Families Australia 
• Secular Association of NSW Inc. 
• South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance
• Southside Justice
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy
• Trans Health Australia
• Trans Justice Project
• Transcend Australia
• Transfamily Incorporated
• Transfolk WA
• Victorian Pride Lobby
• Vivian Thrun
• Women's Electoral Lobby Australia (WEL)
• Women's Legal Service NSW
• Women's Legal Service Tasmania
• Youth Pride Network
• Youth Pride Network
• YWCA Australia