QUEENSLAND’S Catholic bishops have written to the State Government opposing proposed changes to the state’s anti-discrimination laws.
The ramification of the changes for the Catholic Church in Queensland would flow to schools, health care and social justice services.
The proposed new anti-discrimination laws, which are before State Parliament, ‘will prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious belief or religious activity’.
The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) has received legal advice that the right to religious freedom in the state could be in jeopardy.
QCEC executive director Joe McCorley said he had grave concerns about the new proposed laws despite reassurances by the Premier’s Office that Catholic schools would still be able to discriminate in favour of Catholic teachers.
The laws have also attracted opposition from the heads of independent schools in the state.
The laws were introduced by Attorney-General Rod Welford on November 6 without prior community consultation and with only two weeks for public comment.
It is understood that they will take away an exemption granted by the 1991 Anti-Discrimination Act to allow religious schools to reject a teacher on the grounds of sexuality.
The laws will also ensure atheists are not discriminated against and give homosexuals living in de facto relationships the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.
Mr McCorley said the removal of section 29 in the 1991 Anti-Discrimination Act would take away their rights in regard to employing staff.
Mr McCorley said it was important for the Catholic Church to retain its authority over employment practices to preserve the integrity of its values.
The laws have also come under fire from State Opposition Leader Mike Horan. He expressed serious concerns about their implications for the religious community.
‘We’re extremely concerned by the way this was done with almost zero knowledge of anyone before it was brought in.
‘We’re going to check with Church groups and examine it clause by clause very carefully and balance the changes up against the rights of religions.
‘There is a very strong risk of discrimination of religion.’
Mr Horan also accused the Government of trying to ram the bill through in the pre-Christmas rush.
A spokesman for Premier Peter Beattie said last week that the new laws would not affect the Catholic Church’s ability to discriminate in favour of Catholic teachers in its schools.
