27 October 2026 – Women’s groups, legal experts and community leaders have written to the Prime Minister, calling for the urgent removal of “outdated and unfair” exemptions that allow religious schools to discriminate.

The letter follows the introduction of a Bill by Independent MP Allegra Spender to strengthen protections against discrimination in religious schools.

“It is unacceptable that in 2026, it is still legal for a woman employed by a religious school or a faith-based service provider to be dismissed, demoted or denied employment solely on the basis of her marital status, pregnancy or personal relationships,” the letter says.

“We hear countless troubling stories of women losing their careers simply because they wanted to start a family using IVF, entered a new relationship, or became single during their employment – even after leaving a violent relationship.”

The letter says the existing exemptions “continue to undermine the fundamental rights of women and LGBTQ+ people”.

“These exemptions elevate institutional religious doctrines above the basic human right to live and work free from discrimination. This imbalance is both unjust and incompatible with modern democratic values.”

Helen Dalley Fisher AM, Executive Director, National Foundation for Australian Women:  

“A teacher’s professional ability shouldn’t be overshadowed by judgements about her private life and women should be protected from unfair discrimination wherever they work. 

“In Australia today, no woman should lose her job because she falls pregnant outside marriage, lives with a partner she isn’t married to, or chooses to leave a marriage. 

“A woman’s livelihood should never depend on her relationship status. Women have the right to decide if and when they marry, or whether they marry at all. Anything less is out of step with the society we are today.” 

Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill: 

“Religious freedom should not be a licence to discriminate. The law must protect people equally, regardless of where they study or work, or who they go home to at the end of the day. 

“The case for reform in schools is clear, and the Spender Bill before parliament would finally remedy this. What’s missing is action from the Federal Government. 

“Institutions that receive bucketloads of public money should be required to uphold the standards we expect as a country for how people are treated. 

“The Federal Government cannot claim to champion equality while allowing women and LGBTIQ+ people to be discriminated against at school or work. 

Amy Barrett, Senior Campaign Manager Fair Agenda: 

“More than four decades after the SDA was introduced, women should not still be fighting for equal protection under the law. 

“Religious exemptions that allow schools to discriminate against female teachers for becoming pregnant, getting divorced, or even trying to leave an abusive relationship, have no place in a modern and fair Australia.”  

Link to the open letter: https://equalityaustralia.org.au/resources/open-letter-equal-futures-for-women/ 

Media contact: Tara Ravens 0408 898 154