Submission to the Religious Freedom Bills - First Exposure Drafts

In 2019, the Attorney-General's Department proposed a package of legislative reforms about religious freedom. The APS understands the intent of the Religious Discrimination Bill is sound – to protect religious belief or activity, as other anti-discrimination legislation does for race, sex, disability and age.

While the APS supports protection of religious beliefs, this legislation should not come at the expense of other people’s protections, particularly LGBTQI+ people. 

The APS recommends not to use a proposed Religious Discrimination Act to undermine or override anti-discrimination laws aimed at protecting the LGBTQI+ community. 

Our recommendations are based on psychological evidence which highlights the detrimental impact of discrimination on mental health and wellbeing.

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