CHURCH leaders were hopeful of some sort of resolution in a dispute with the Queensland Government over amendments to the state’s anti-discrimination laws after top-level talks last week.
An interchurch working party met with Attorney-General Rod Welford last Monday to discuss the Church’s concerns about the bill which would amend the state’s 1991 Discrimination Act.
The working party included Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Joe McCorley, Brisbane Catholic Education executive director David Hutton, Allan Todd from the Christian Schools’ Association and Peter Francis, a pastor from the Baptist Church.
‘It was on the recommendation of Premier Peter Beattie that we meet with the Government to negotiate ways forward that suit the parties,’ Mr McCorley said.
Brisbane Auxiliary Bishop John Gerry, acting for Archbishop John Bathersby, said on November 25 the Catholic Church wanted to work with the Queensland Government to ensure a satisfactory outcome for all on the anti-discrimination legislation.
On November 25, Premier Peter Beattie addressed more than 200 people from various Christian Churches at the State Executive Building in Brisbane.
The Premier answered questions from the floor for more than two hours.
‘A wide variety of people attended the meeting, angry and concerned about the amendments,’ said Mr McCorley
