Religious Discrimination Bill - What you need to know

QPLC (Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee) has issued a helpful Action Alert about the Religious Discrimination Bill currently being considered in the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
 

For the third time, the Federal Government is seeking to pass legislation on religious discrimination. Quakers have previously made submissions and comments on earlier drafts. The new draft is drawn to your attention as of concern also.

The draft bill seeks to ensure that people of all religious beliefs (or none) have equal rights, and has the following features:

• It is unlawful to discriminate against any person on the ground of religious belief or activity in public life, including work, education, access to premises, and provision of goods and services.
• Certain conduct is not discrimination, such as the conduct by religious bodies and statements of belief in line with the provisions of the bill.
• Complaints can be made to the Australian Human Rights Commission, and to the newly planned Religious Discrimination Commissioner.

To read the entire text of this informative Alert go here.

QPLC wants Friends to know that Submissions can be up until 5pm on 21 December 2021. Further guidance on making a submission can be found on the Senate’s How to make a submission webpage and at https://www.quakersaustralia.info/peace-action-resources/raise-your-voic...
 

(Image: Protestors during a rally to protest against the Religious Discrimination Bill at Sydney Town Hall in 2019, Source: AAP)