Economy
The terrible consequences of fundamentalism …
Letter to The Editor, Changing the TADA 1999
I am writing to you regarding the legislation being introduced into Parliament by the Liberal State Government in collaboration with fundamentalist religious sects to alter the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1999. I write as someone who three years ago supported my Brother and sister-in-law who lost their gay son to suicide following a severe period of bullying in a Sydney Catholic School. I also write in concern as a Catholic Priest supporting several groups of Catholic parents who suffered the same terrible loss as my brother and my sister-in-law. These parents tried desperately to change the Catholic persecution of LGBTI people … to no effect.
The changes to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1999 to allow Churches to discriminate and exclude students and teachers who are not faithful members from their schools and services, will destroy the fabric of Anti-discrimination in our state.
It will also be a terrible example to young people, their parents and the general community who have moved on from the Old Testament’s dogmatic principles to eliminate those who have different religious or doctrinal points of view. It will give succour and legitimise those elements of the community who use hate and violence against those minority groups who are condemned by the churches … for example gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, and gender-diverse people. The implication of this legislation in regard to religious schools is monumental for religious hospitals, welfare and support services; discriminating against those they were established to support.
The proposed changes indicate that the proponents are incapable of valuing human rights or the compliance measures that are essential to its component parts for example tolerance and respect for diversity and the right to live equally and peacefully in the community. Now we will have – if the legislation is adopted – a privileged class allowed to discriminate. There is no difference between valuing religious rights or valuing the rights of minority groups of race, colour, sexuality or disability. Discrimination is not negotiable. You cannot trade it for votes and at the same time retain respect or integrity. The changes will encourage and support those religious denominations who find it so difficult to respect other sections of the community that have a diverse aspect to their culture?
If churches, religious hospitals and welfare organisation are allowed to discriminate they should not be provided secular public taxpayer funding.
How unjust that the tax dollars provided by some minority groups will now be used to fund religious education that demonises them and recommends ‘conversion therapy’. How unjust that in the most conservative religious schools the connection between religious bigotry and mental ill health and suicide will be funded by taxpayers.
Before voting I would encourage you to study ‘In my Shoes’ a study initiated by Beyond Blue which details the connection between discrimination, bullying and the highest national statistics of the incidence of mental health and suicide in the LGBTI Communities. The connection between discrimination and poor mental health leading to self- harming and suicide for minority groups demonised by religion makes it ironic that young gay and lesbian students as well as intersex and gender diverse students are safer in public schools where diversity is acknowledged, respected and celebrated. The Churches suffering from poor leadership are losing any respect in the Community as well as membership because of the very principle being enshrined in this regrettable legislation that of their practice of bigotry and lack of human integrity.
I find it difficult to understand when we have the safest form of granting exclusion in Australia by personal application to the TAD Commissioner that you would dismiss this. When we have the most respected laws respecting , acknowledging and celebrating our diversity leading to a tranquil and peaceful Island, a strong aspect of our prosperity; I find it incomprehensible that you would change and not value what we have achieved. Above all when we have Commissioner of the quality of Robin Banks that you would not respect both her role and capacity.
Yours faithfully,
Julian Punch AM
Longley TAS 7150
• Rodney Croome: Defending Australia’s best Anti-Discrimination Act
• Steve, in Comments: There’s a distinctly Orwellian feel to this proposed change. It’s against the law to discriminate on grounds of religion because we are all equal. However some schools are more equal than others so it’s OK for them?
• Jack Jolly, in Comments: #2 Fine. Let’s start by removing tax breaks on religion and make a level playing field. Then, remove any government funding for religious schools as they have norms and standards that are not shared by the Australian community. Next, make it legal for me not to employ the likes of you because you believe in the existence of a man in the sky and are clearly deluded. That way, you can discriminate against me and I can discriminate against you on an equal basis based upon our different ideologies. So, all good then?