Exemption worse than first proposed Religious Principals urged to clamp down on anti-gay bullying
Advocates have vowed to mount a Supreme Court challenge to a discrimination exemption for religious schools passed today by parliament, saying it is even worse than the one first proposed.
They have also committed to ensuring religious schools do not discriminate against gay students.
A Government bill allowing religious schools to discriminate against students on the basis of their religion was widened in the Upper House to allow discrimination on the basis of a parent’s or grandparent’s religion, to allow discrimination against students of the same faith as the school as well as different faiths, and to remove opportunities for appeal. These amendments were today accepted by the Government.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said he fears some religious schools will use the new exemption as cover to discriminate against gay students or the children of gay parents.
“Parliament’s decision to water down the Anti-Discrimination Act is a victory for ideology over the best interests of everyday Tasmanian families and children, and will now disadvantage even more families than originally proposed.”
“Advice from constitutional expert, Professor George Williams, is that the new exemption violates that section of the Tasmanian Constitution Act which protects all Tasmanian citizens from religious discrimination.”
“I will now work with families who are disadvantaged by this amendment to mount a case to the Supreme Court to have the amendment declared inconsistent with the Tasmanian Constitution.”
Mr Croome welcomed an Upper House amendment to the exemption clarifying that discrimination on grounds other than religion will not be tolerated, as well as repeated declarations from the Government that the exemption will not permit discrimination on grounds such as sexual orientation, gender identity, relationships status and intersex status.
“It became clear during debate on the exemption that there is still too much anti-gay prejudice and bullying in faith-based schools, so I will seek meetings with religious school principals to ensure they understand their existing legal obligations to clamp down on this prejudice and bullying.”
“In particular, I will encourage them to conduct professional development for their staff in the issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex teachers, students and parents.”
Under the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act, discrimination by faith-based schools on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship status and intersex status remain illegal.
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