AHISA SUBMISSION

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

20 December 2021

Inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021

AHISA’s submission to the Joint Committee relates primarily to the potential impact of the Bill, if enacted, on religious educational institutions.

Given the diverse and often conflicting legal opinion on the provisions of the Religious Discrimination Bill, AHISA raises the issue of the cost and disruption to schools which are forced to engage in litigation aimed solely at testing the boundaries of the law. AHISA also draws attention to the contention around the Bill’s provisions. In the interests of national social cohesion, AHISA’s recommendations include:
• That passage of the Religious Discrimination Bill be delayed until it can be considered at the same time as any proposed amendments to the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984.
• That priority be given to establishment of the office of the Religious Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission by uncoupling it from the Religious Discrimination Bill and amending the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.

Inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 — FULL SUBMISSION