Australia: Victorian Premier will force by law Christian Schools to employ homosexuals
On 30 August the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Religious Exceptions) Bill 2016 was introduced. If passed this Bill would restrict the ability of religious bodies, charities, schools and educational institutions to employ staff according to their faith and ethos.
Peter Kentley, Executive Director of the Christian Federation based in Melbourne warns,"on Wednesday afternoon this week, the Victorian State Government will debate a bill to deny religious institutions exceptions from anti-discrimination law. ... This is a direct attack on religious freedom that will sooner or later go national if it gets through in Victoria."
The stakes couldn't be higher, reports Dan Flynn, the Victorian Director of the Australian Christian Lobby. He writes "This Bill would be the end of Christian schooling as we know it." Christian schools and churches could be forced to hire people who are fundamentally opposed to what their community stands for. If this were to happen it would be a terrible blow to religious freedom.
The Age has described this as a deliberate crackdown on our schools.
Parents send their children to Christian schools because they want their children growing up and learning in a Christian community.
Christian Schools Australia chief executive, Stephen O'Doherty, said the proposed laws were a "draconian attack on religious freedom principles". He also said, "We feel that the Andrews' government is the most anti-religious government we have seen in a long time."
Catholic Education Melbourne executive director, Stephen Elder, said it was important that a Catholic school had the freedom to employ staff who supported the Catholic faith and didn't undermine the school's ethos.
The Andrews' Government seems determined to undermine parents' choices and the distinctly Christian character and ethos of these schools.
The religious 'inherent requirement' test that the former Coalition Government overturned in 2011 would apply to all religions including schools, churches and organisations - but not to political parties.
Political parties and organisations rightly have freedom to discriminate against a job applicant or employee on the basis of their political belief or activity. For example, the ALP does not have to employ a card-carrying Liberal and vice versa. Only religious bodies are targeted in this Bill.
We need to act fast and with urgency to influence our MPs on this important issue. If this Bill gets through the Lower House on Wednesday, all is not lost. It can still be stopped in the Upper House where it is likely to be voted on in the coming weeks.
Pray that the Bill will be stopped in the Lower House on Wednesday or the Upper House in the coming weeks. Pray also for Premier Daniel Andrews.
For All Australians: the Christian Federation invites you to sign this petition today so that it can be presented tomorrow.
For Victorians Only: Please send a letter or email to your local members in the Victorian Parliament. You can use this Australian Family Asscociation link to find the name of your local members in both the Upper and Lower Houses. Send them an email from the above link or better yet, write a letter to them. Remember physical letters are impossible to delete easily. Letters should be addressed to: Victorian Parliament House, Spring Street East, Melbourne, Victoria 3002.
For Those Outside Victoria: Send an email/letter to the papers listed below. Letters published in these regional newspapers could affect key votes in the Upper House.
The Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Bill 2016 seeks to restrict the ability of religious schools and organisations to employ staff according to their faith and ethos.
Religious schools and churches are currently allowed to require that staff contribute to and demonstrate their religious values and ethos. It's called freedom of association and freedom of religion.
The Government's proposed 'inherent requirements' test in this Bill would take away the freedom of Christian schools to hire all staff on the basis that they are genuine adherents, in belief and practice, to the Christian basis of the school.
These proposed changes would have the effect that Christian schools and churches could be forced to hire people who are fundamentally opposed to what the school or church stands for.
Christian schools should be free to associate on the basis that they integrate a worldview based on religious beliefs and values into all aspects of school life.
Churches appointing non-clergy staff may have to justify to a Government tribunal why they chose to employ a practising Christian over a non-Christian.
The Bill does not similarly restrict political parties or other clubs. An ALP Minister can rightfully refuse to hire a person that does not agree with ALP policy. So this Bill is a focused attack on freedom of religion.
Please vote against the Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Bill 2016.
