TAS GOV RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MOVE SLAMMED AS ‘BIGOTS’ CHARTER’ & ‘SPECIAL RIGHTS’

Tasmanian gay rights advocates have labelled a State Government proposal to water down the Anti-Discrimination Act as a “Bigots’ Charter” that will give religious schools “special rights”.

The State Government today introduced legislation that will allow religious schools to discriminate on the grounds of religious belief or practice when enrolling new students.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the proposal will foster prejudice and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and children of same-sex couples.

“This is a Bigots’ Charter because it will give religious school principals free rein to discriminate against gay and transgender students and the children of same-sex couples under the guise of their school’s ‘religious belief’.”

“I think Tasmanians will recoil from the idea that some schools should have special rights and privileges that aren’t available to other schools or ordinary citizens, just because of their religious views.”

“Life is already hard enough for young gay people and the children of same-sex couples in religious schools without this kind of ideological move fostering prejudice and discrimination against them.”

“I believe the current law is working well to foster inclusive schools and my challenge to the government is to explain exactly why this change is needed.”

“Consistency with other states is an argument against this change, not for it, because the experience in other states is that children are being unfairly targetted if their parents are not in a married heterosexual relationship.”

“I call on the opposition parties to vote against this Bigot’s Charter, and for the Legislative Council to block it.”

The State Government says its amendment will not allow discrimination by religious schools on the grounds of sexual orentation which will remain illegal. It also says discrimination will only occur upon enrollment and not once a student is enrolled.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome