Attorney General Christian Porter has downplayed a push from conservative MPs to provide stronger religious protections as the government prepares to fight for a religious discrimination bill when they return to Canberra.
Earlier this week it was revealed that former deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce is calling for a ‘Folau’s Law’, in order to protect people like Israel Folau who was sacked by Rugby Australia for a social media post that claimed gays, drunks and adulterers would go to hell.
“You can’t bring people’s faith beliefs into a contract,” Joyce told The Age.
“Your own views on who god is, where god is or whether there’s a god should remain your own personal views and not part of any contractual obligation.”
Porter now says that the government is not necessarily interested in “trying to prevent individuals privately contracting the terms of their employment” according to Sydney Morning Herald
The Attorney General is set to propose a religious discrimination bill soon after parliament returns, despite the Australian Law Reform Commission currently reviewing laws that provide pathways for discrimination against LGBTI+ students and staff in religious institutions. They are not expected to report their findings and recommendations until 2020.
Conservative senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells says the government need not wait for the ALRC’s findings.
“Whilst the ALRC is not due to report until 2020, given its diverse and broad terms of reference, I believe that the recent election has reinforced the need for more immediate legislative action,” Fierravanti-Wells said.
“This is vitally important to not only address our concerns but afford protection against these constant incursions from Labor, the Greens and their acolytes. It’s a new dawn on this issue.”
OIP Staff
