LGBTI+ advocates are calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to make sure the upcoming inquiry into religious freedom is public and unbiased.

The inquiry was established by the government following the success of the Yes vote in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey to ensure religious freedoms were not being eroded, and that LGBTI people were not being discriminated against.

The call comes after reports from the Guardian that the Philip Ruddock led panel are already conducting secret hearings, and that the panelists are unsympathetic to LGBTI community concerns.

Veteran LGBTI activist Rodney Croome of just.equal says these alleged covert meetings will undermine the findings of the inquiry.

“The inquiry can’t expect its findings to be taken seriously if it continues to operate secretly, without transparenct, and under allegations of bias,” Croome said.

“We call on Malcolm Turnbull to step in, open up the process and remove any hint of bias by appointing an LGBTI community representative to the panel.”

Currently, the panel consists of former Liberal MP Philip Ruddock, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher, Dr Annabelle Bennett, Father Frank Brennan and Professor Nicholas Aroney – none of whom identify as members of the LGBTI community.

Submissions to the inquiry close Wednesday February 14th.