Labor leader Bill Shorten has ruled out supporting any changes to the county’s anti-discrimination laws.
Activists opposing marriage equality have suggested the nation’s anti-discrimination laws will prevent a effective debate on the issue ahead of the government’s proposed plebiscite on the issue.
Speaking at The Guardian‘s ‘Why Knot’ event last night Mr Shorten was asked by an audience member if he would rule out supporting changes to the laws which would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT people on religious grounds.
“It’s not allowed now under the current law – why would we water down existing laws? We don’t need to water down anti-discrimination law to keep some people happy.” Shorten replied.
The opposition leader said if the nation’s anti-discrimination laws were watered down a Labor government would repeal the changes.
In February Lyle Shelton, the Executive Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, said debate over the marriage plebiscite should be exempt from anti-discrimination laws arguing that marriage equality activists used them as weapons.
“State-based Human Rights Commissions are often weaponised by activists against those with different views. A complaint does not even have to be legally defensible for process to start, for lawyers to be engaged, mediation to be required and for intimidation to be achieved. This is ripe for abuse by activists on legally spurious grounds.” Shelton said in February.
This week the organisation voiced concern over Queensland’s civil unions legislation advocating that exceptions needed to be provided to allow for religious freedom.
The groups Queensland director, Wendy Francis, said the Queensland government needed to assure churches that they could deny hiring halls and facilities to same sex couples celebrating a civil union.
“The Labor Government needs to reassure Queenslanders that this law does not run contrary to our freedom to hold varying views on religious or secular grounds,” Francis said.
Sources
OIP Staff, Image: file Image -Leigh Hill
Another reason to bote for Labor?
Another reason to bote for Labor?
It is better to shame private businesses that discriminate against the community and SUPPORT LGBTI-supportive businesses, rather than to pass laws which force ignorant businesses to do what’s right–but possibly put the safety of community members at risk ie noxious substances into food. With this issue, carrot is better than stick.
Govt agencies must not discriminate, and lead the way in appropriate service. I recently saw a Dept of Housing form which had “M/F/I” for the gender question.