{"id":25442,"date":"2022-02-15T18:41:33","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T10:41:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/?p=25442"},"modified":"2022-02-18T04:18:15","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T20:18:15","slug":"on-the-religious-discrimination-bill-and-the-labor-party-by-matthew-sinapi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/on-the-religious-discrimination-bill-and-the-labor-party-by-matthew-sinapi\/","title":{"rendered":"On the ‘Religious Discrimination Bill’ and the Labor Party – by Matthew Sinapi"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There has been a lot of talk about the Bill and a lot of misinformation floating around about it. So, I\u2019m writing this to clarify things. I\u2019ll include multiple sources, so if you don\u2019t believe me, feel free to check the links.<\/span><\/p>\n

The current government has an agenda to allow discrimination against queer people (among many others) under the guise of \u2018religious freedom\u2019 and ‘protecting’ religious people. What they actually support is abhorrent and would include things like letting religious schools expel queer students and fire queer teachers, and just generally letting religious institutions (such as housing services, employment programs, and more\u2026) discriminate against queer people.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This is a good look at the myriad other ways people would be discriminated against if the Coalition had their way, written by Janet Rice:<\/span><\/p>\n

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In anticipation for the government putting their horrible plans up to a vote, the Labor Party had a caucus meeting. In that meeting, Labor decided that they would propose amendments to the Religious Discrimination Bill, and that if their amendments failed to pass in the House of Representatives that they would vote for it anyway. Several Labor MPs moved that Labor oppose the bill if they couldn\u2019t get their amendment through, but those Labor MPs \u2018lost on the voices\u2019 and so Labor\u2019s decision was made.<\/span><\/p>\n

The above (and some info below) is evidenced here:<\/span>
\nLower house sits late to continue religious discrimination bill debate \u2013 as it happened<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

On the night of the debate, there were basically two relevant bills. The Religious Discrimination Bill and the Human Rights Legislation Amendment. Labor put up several amendments to the Religious Discrimination Bill. These would have: protected students, made it so the \u2018statement of belief\u2019 clause wouldn\u2019t override already existing state laws, prevented the discrimination of those in aged care services, and banned religious vilification.<\/span><\/p>\n

All of Labor\u2019s amendments to the bill failed, as can be seen in the following three links to the parliament website:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Division Number 804<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Division Number 805<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Division Number 806<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Following the failure of these amendments, the bill itself was put up to be voted on. Mr Fletcher (Liberal) moved that the bill be read a third time, a motion that would pass the bill in the House of Representatives and send it to the Senate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only MPs who opposed the bill were: Adam Bandt (Greens), Rebekha Sharkie (Centre Alliance), Bridget Archer (Liberal) and the three independents: Helen Haines, Zali Stegall, and Andrew Wilkie.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Coalition, Labor, Bob Katter, and Craig Kelly supported the bill, with all that it entailed.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were no Labor MPs who voted against it. Not Ged Kearney (my MP, member for Cooper). Not Peter Khalil (Member for Wills). Not Josh Burns (Member for Macnamara). Regardless of what they said in speeches, they refused to back it up by voting against the bill.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the Religious Discrimination Bill had passed, the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill was up. This bill was to amend various discrimination acts Australia had passed over the years. An amendment to this bill, to protect students (and only students) from discrimination, was able to pass with the support of the Labor Party, 5 Liberal MPs, the 3 independents, Adam Bandt (Greens) and Rebekha Sharkie (Centre Alliance).<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidence:<\/strong>
\n<\/span>
\nDivision Number 811<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Australian House of Representatives<\/strong> – @AboutTheHouse<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Coalition was unable to handle this (showing their true intention\u2026) and decided to shelve the whole thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following that, many proclaimed this as a victory for Labor. That they stood up for queer rights. This doesn\u2019t match up for the following reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is nothing in parliamentary process that prevents Labor from putting forward amendments, and then voting against the bill. That is to say, despite their amendments to the Religious Discrimination Bill failing, they could have voted against the bill. Rebekha Sharkie, Adam Bandt, and others did exactly that. As can be seen in the voting records listed above.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, despite the bill being shelved, Labor has announced that they will introduce their own religious discrimination legislation, as seen here:<\/span><\/p>\n

– Statement on Religious Discrimination Legislation<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Albanese claims there that Labor will protect students and gives a somewhat wishy-washy sentence on the topic of teachers. But what about other religious institutions in Australia, such as the aforementioned housing services and employment programs? What about religious op shops? Should they be able to discriminate in the hiring of their staff? Not only did Labor\u2019s amendments not deal with these, Kristina Keneally made something very clear through omission recently on Insiders, as seen here:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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If Labor win the election, will they remove the ability of religious schools to to turn away LGBTIQ teachers and children?

"It's straightforward with children, we think there are some slight complexities with teachers and staff," @KKeneally says.#Insiders<\/a> #auspol<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3U3pVRtKgy<\/a><\/p>— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) February 12, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>