Premium Content:

Australian Christian Lobby don't support Religious Discrimination Bill

The Australian Christian Lobby have announced they no longer support the government’s Religious Discrimination Bill as it passed the House of Representatives in the early hours of this morning.

- Advertisement -

The bill was passed without any of Labor’s four suggested amendments accepted, though a Centre Alliance amendment to include protections for transgender students, alongside gay, lesbian and bisexual students in the Sex Discrimination Act, was successfully passed 65 votes to 59.

In light of this, the Australian Christian Lobby say the Morrison Government should withdraw the bill from the Senate after the new amendment “completely undermined” the draft.

“The bills were intended to help faith-based schools, but they now do more harm than good,” ACL’s National Director of Politics Wendy Francis said.

“Labor, independents and Liberals, Bridget Archer, David Sharma, Trent Zimmerman, Katie Allen and Fiona Martin voted for an amendment to remove section 38(3) of the Sex Discrimination Act which contains vital protections for religious schools.”

The ACL say they believe that the “loss of this protection” would outweigh any benefits that could be obtained by the Religious Discrimination Bill.

“The Australian Christian Lobby withdraws its support for the Religious Discrimination Bill package and calls on the Morrison Government to now withdraw the Bills from the Senate.”

“Taking away protections for Christian schools is a price too high to pay for the passage of the Religious Discrimination Bill. The amendments voted on by Labor, independents and these Liberal MPs unnecessarily interfere with the operation of faith-based schools.”

“With the amendments so damaging to religious freedom, the Government should immediately withdraw the bills,” Francis said.

Today the Senate decided they would not consider the bill, due to time limitations with Senate Estimates and the upcoming federal Budget on the agenda before the upcoming election.

OIP Staff


You can support our work by subscribing to our Patreon
or contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.

Latest

Tasmanian government supports financial redress scheme for historical gay convictions

The move has been welcomed by local LGBTIQA+ rights groups.

Troye Sivan is the big winner at the ARIAs

Fresh from his Spilt Milk House Party show he picked up the top trophy for Album of the Year.

Pet Shop Boys reminded people of just how many hits they’ve had

Pet Shop Boys are having a career renaissance with...

On This Gay Day | Benjamin Britten was born in 1913

A central figure in music in the 20th century Britten composed well known operas, orchestral and vocal music.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Tasmanian government supports financial redress scheme for historical gay convictions

The move has been welcomed by local LGBTIQA+ rights groups.

Troye Sivan is the big winner at the ARIAs

Fresh from his Spilt Milk House Party show he picked up the top trophy for Album of the Year.

Pet Shop Boys reminded people of just how many hits they’ve had

Pet Shop Boys are having a career renaissance with...

On This Gay Day | Benjamin Britten was born in 1913

A central figure in music in the 20th century Britten composed well known operas, orchestral and vocal music.

Conservative group says Trump win renews hope of turning back same-sex marriage

Brian Brown from the International Organisation of the Family says he's hopeful the laws will be changed.

Tasmanian government supports financial redress scheme for historical gay convictions

The move has been welcomed by local LGBTIQA+ rights groups.

Troye Sivan is the big winner at the ARIAs

Fresh from his Spilt Milk House Party show he picked up the top trophy for Album of the Year.

Pet Shop Boys reminded people of just how many hits they’ve had

Pet Shop Boys are having a career renaissance with their most recent album Nonetheless but this British duo has been pushing out hit after...