The Diversity Council of Australia, which brings together some of Australia’s biggest companies and faith-based organisations, says theThe council says the “statement of belief” provision contained in the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 could be
The diversity council was established in 1985 as a joint initiative of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Business Council of Australia and 900 member organisations that employ nearly 2 million people.Members include the big banks, miners and retailers, along with faith-based organisations such as Anglicare, the Australian Catholic University and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.
Committee chairwoman, Nationals MP Anne Webster, said the bill will “ensure Australians are protected from unlawful discrimination on the basis of religious belief or activity – just as they are protected from unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race and disability”.Beyond Blue, the mental health charity chaired by former prime minister Julia Gillard, says the religious freedom bill will exacerbate already high rates of suicide among gay and disabled people.
“Statements of belief, despite being made in good faith, have the potential to cause significant psychological distress among certain groups – for example, stating that gay people will go to hell or that mental health issues are the work of the devil,” the Beyond Blue submission says.“Such statements can cause lasting hurt, fear, isolation, helplessness and shame, and prevent people seeking health and support for psychological distress or suicidality.