Our laws should protect all of us, equally, no matter who we are, whom we love, or what we believe.
But the Morrison Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill is a step backwards, that would wind back hard-fought protections for LGBTQ+ people, women, people with disability, and even people of faith.
The draft laws contain provisions that will undermine everyone’s right to live in dignity and respect, compromising access to judgement-free healthcare and inclusive workplaces and schools.
Not only will schools be able to discriminate against people because of who they are or whom they love, it will bolster their ability to get rid of staff that believe that we should be accepted for who we are.
The government must abandon this friendless piece of legislation , and deliver what it promised last election – a simple reform to protect all of us, equally.
Email your MP today, and call on them to oppose the Religious Discrimination Bill, and to demand the law be changed to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and teachers.
Stuck for words? If you’ve been subject to discrimination, or have witnessed it, make sure you include this experience and describe how it’s impact.
Here are some key points about the Religious Discrimination Bill that you can include:
- If passed, the Bill will have a chilling effect, meaning that people who experience discrimination at work, at school, or when accessing services will be less likely to call out comments that are offensive, insulting or demeaning.
- The ‘statements of belief’ provisions will mean that harmful statements that constitute discrimination today, will be protected by law. Things like a medical professional telling a person living with HIV that AIDS is a punishment from God, or a support worker telling a person with disability that their disability is caused by the devil.
- The bill also includes a new provision that will bolster the ability of religious schools to refuse to hire staff that affirm and support LGBTQ+ people, single parents, or people who are divorced or in de-facto relationships.