Freedom of conscience and religion reinstated by Government’s anti-discrimination amendment

The Australian Christian Lobby has applauded yesterdays tabling of a bill which restores the human right of religious freedom to faith-based schools.

This amendment to the Anti-discrimination Act will bring Tasmania into line with other states and territories in allowing faith-based schools to select students who share their ethos.

ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said the commitment is fulfilling a promise made by Will Hodgman during an interview with ACL in the lead up to the March 2014 election.

“In the same way political parties are able to positively discriminate in favour of people who share their ethos, religious schools should also have this right in order to preserve their ethos and community culture,” Mr Brown said.

“The proposed changes will support the rights of parents who want to educate their children a certain way, and the rights of those children who share their parents’ faith and values,” Mr Brown said.

This amendment will be an important acknowledgement about the vital place freedom of conscience and religion has in a healthy democracy.

“Article 18(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) specifically protects the right of parents ‘to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions’,” Mr Brown said.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown