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Religous groups have a right to choose
The ‘narrowing’ of exceptions in Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act and establishing an ‘inherent requirement’ test would remove the right of Christian schools, churches, and welfare organisations to employ people of the same ethos, or remove employees opposed to their ethos.
Christian organisations would no longer be able to discriminate against people based on sex, sexual orientation, lawful sexual activity, marital status, parental status and gender identity.
For instance, a gay activist, with the best qualifications, may be appointed to the position of maths teacher, gardener or administrator at a Christian School.
This would damage the unity, ethos, vision and function of the organisation.
Religious groups have a right to choose their employees.
Please vote against any legislative change to Equal Opportunity laws.
Don’t discriminate against religion
The ‘narrowing’ of exceptions in Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act and establishing an ‘inherent requirement’ test would discriminate unfairly - removing the right of Christian schools, churches, and welfare organisations to employ people of the same ethos, or remove employees opposed to their ethos.
But why should Labor force Christians to employ people opposed to their ethos, when Labor would never consider appointing someone from One Nation or Australia United Party in their office - and is protected by law from doing that.
Social commentator Bill Muehlenberg said, “A Christian school . . . wants among other things, a complete unity of purpose, vision, aim and ethos. Having a homosexual physical education teacher, or a Muslim history teacher, or a Wiccan chemistry teacher would instantly render impossible that sort of unity.
“The government might as well argue that rabid Carlton, Richmond and St. Kilda supporters be allowed to hold positions in the Geelong Football Club. Sorry, the Club wants people who support everything about Geelong to be on board, from lowly positions to higher up ones.”
Please make sure the government doesn’t enshrine discrimination in law.
Protect helpful religious organisations
The Victorian government is eliminating the essential difference between religious and State schools by removing religious protections and imposing a uniformly secular understanding of education on all schools.
The majority of Australians aren’t calling for these changes. Nearly two-thirds of Australians support protections for religious institutions.
Religious organisations including schools, hospitals and charities provide significant welfare and spiritual care to the community. Twenty-three of the largest 25 charities in Australia are faith-motivated in their founding mission. The Catholic church alone provides 10% of Australia-wide health care services.
They have a right to appoint and train staff in accordance with their motivating faith-based ethos.
Please make sure there are no changes to Equal Opportunity laws.