Tas Gov't challenged to rule out church exemption from anti-bias law

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 27.4.08.

Tasmanian gay activists have called on the State Government to rule out any new exemptions for religious organisations in the state Anti-Discrimination Act.

The call has been prompted by fears the Government is set to release a report recommending the Act be watered down to allow religious schools to discriminate against students who are from a different religious background.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that unnamed sources within the Government claim a review of the Anti-Discrimination Act, to be released as early as next week, will recommend such an exemption, despite an assurance given last year by former Attorney-General, Steve Kons, that no such exemption would be granted.

"Our concern is that an exemption will be abused by schools to turn away students for any number of reasons including because their parents are unmarried or not regular church-goers, or because the students themselves are gay, in a sexual relationship, or simply question church doctrine."

"If the Government is genuine about fostering an inclusive 'New Tasmania', it must rule out an exemption that will give prejudice a green light.”

Last year, Tasmanian Catholic Archbishop, Adrian Doyle, called for an exemption to the Anti-Discrimination Act which would allow Catholic schools to give preference to children from Catholic families because almost half of Tasmania's Catholic-school students are from non-Catholic backgrounds.

But Mr Croome said this violates the right of parents to choose where their children are schooled.

“Religious schools receive generous tax-payer subsidies on the basis that they give parents a choice in how their children are educated - if this choice is withdrawn the money should be too”, Mr Croome said.

Mr Croome said former State Attorney-General, Steve Kons, opposed the amendment sought by Archbishop Doyle in a meeting with representatives of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Group in July last year, on the basis that school enrollment is an administrative and not a legislative issue, and because the Anti-Discrimination Act review was limited to complaints handling and had not considered the issue of exemptions.

“We await the Government’s assurance that Mr Kons’ undertaking still stands.”

For more on this issue visit
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/shredding-the-anti-discrimination-act/

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.