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Premier Steven Marshall must rule out making any legislative changes which will adversely impact faith-based organisations, according to Christian advocacy group FamilyVoice Australia.
The Marshall Liberal Government is under pressure to restore confidence with Christian voters after abortion and euthanasia laws passed under its watch and with news this week that the newly reformed Family First party will be directing preferences away from Liberal candidates in two key marginal seats (Newland & King).
“The Marshall Liberal Government gave no indication leading up to and during the 2018 election campaign that it would seek to restrict religious freedoms”, said FamilyVoice spokesman David d’Lima.
“And yet it proposed changes to the Equal Opportunity Act that would do just that.”
“The Marshall Liberal Government even had the arrogance to dictate to faith communities what are and are not ‘important religious freedoms’.
The proposed changes under the Equal Opportunity (Religious Bodies) Amendment Bill 2020 would have threatened the ability of faith-based organisations to operate in accordance with their ethos in a number of key areas, including:
- children’s education
- health care and disability support
- aged care
- emergency accommodation
- public housing
- foster care placement and children’s residential services.
“The push for these changes came out of the blue and blindsided the faith community,” d’Lima added.
“The proposed changes were a direct attack on people of faith and religious institutions which do so much good work in our community.
“Steven Marshall needs to reveal his position ahead of the election.
“Will he continue to attack faith communities by pursuing his Equal Opportunity (Religious Bodies) Amendment Bill 2020?
“Voters deserve to know.
“The removal of important religious freedoms from faith-based organisations threatens the tremendous good work they do in the community."