LGBTI community advocates have slated the Ruddock Inquiry recommendations as a shameful assault on equality and human rights. The report commissioned by the government into religious freedom has been leaked overnight by Fairfax Media.
The inquiry headed by former Attorney General Phillip Ruddock has recommended that federal discrimination laws be amended to allow religious schools to reject gay, bisexual and transgender students and turn away teachers who they believe are same-sex attracted.
This will put the Federal Government on a collision course with those mainland stares that want to prohibit such discrimination, as well as Tasmania that has prohibited discrimination against LGBTI people by religious schools for 20 years.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the recommendations outlined in the report were “shameful”.
“The Ruddock Inquiry recommendations are are direct and shameful assault on the dignity and equality of LGBTI people and we will oppose their implementation tooth and nail.”
“Schools should be places of learning, not breeding grounds of prejudice.” Croome said.
“Any school that receives public money should abide by the same rules as the rest of society, including the same rules about fair-treatment and discrimination.”
“We will lobby Liberal moderates, Labor and the Senate cross-bench to oppose any attempt to legislate this abhorrent and retrograde recommendation.”
“We call on all LGBTI, human rights and social justice organisations to join us.”
Croome said Tasmanian religious schools have operated well for 20 years without being allowed to discriminate against LGBTI people.
“Given there is no problem in Tasmania, the only reason I can see for the proposed federal law is to entrench fear, prejudice and hate.”
“This looks and feels like a vindictive attempt to punish LGBTI people for achieving marriage equality.”
The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act does not allow discrimination by faith-based organisations on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Victorian Government recently tried to remove an exemption allowing such discrimination from its anti-discrimination laws. There are also campaigns to remove such exemptions in WA and the NT.
Just.equal has launched a petition against the Ruddock Inquiry recommendations and are calling onm people to sign a petition.
OIP Staff
