Nationals frontbencher Matt Canavan says a Tasmanian anti-discrimination case related to the marriage equality debate had a “chilling effect” on religious freedom in Australia.
Appearing on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday morning Canavan said he believed that Australia needed greater protections for religious freedom.
“I do think that there remains an issue in this country to ensure that fundamental freedoms, and there ain’t much more fundamental freedom in our country than the freedom of religion,” Canavan said.
“I’ve got an open mind and let’s see what the Ruddock review has to say. But examples like that highlight there may be an issue here.”
During the marriage debate the Catholic Archbishop of Tasmania, Julian Porteous, created a handbook promoting traditional marriage that was sent to all Catholic families via their schools.
Transgender activist and Greens political candidate Martine Delaney lodged a complaint with the state’s Equal Opportunity Commission saying the warnings that same sex marriages would endanger children’s upbringing.
The complaint was eventually withdrawn and did not proceed, but Canavan and other government MPs cite it as the one of the reasons that more legislation is required to protect religious freedom.
Last month the government received recommendations from a special panel in convened to investigate the issue. The final report from the panel chaired by former Attorney General Phillip Ruddock has not been made public.
OIP Staff
