In a submission lodged today to the Queensland Humans Rights Commission review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, Christian schools in Queensland are calling on the Commission to support sensible proposals to update the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 and properly protect human rights.
‘Current Queensland legislation simply doesn’t meet the standards of international law’, said CSA Director of Public Policy, Mark Spencer.
‘As former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon indicated, ‘Human rights are not a menu from which we just can pick and choose’, we must protect all rights’, Mr Spencer said. ‘and the current Queensland law does not properly protect people of faith against religious discrimination.’
‘Both the Anti-Discrimination Act and the Human Rights Act clearly fail to meet the expectations of international law and the standards in international covenants.’
‘This Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act provides an opportunity to address some of those shortcomings, and build on the extensive consultation and consideration of religious discrimination at the Commonwealth level.’
‘Our submission contains detailed drafting suggestions that will better define discrimination, religious belief and religious activity’, he said, ‘all areas where the current law falls short.’
‘We also include drafting proposals to better balance the protection of rights in relation to religious bodies, and proposals ensuring that the objects and purposes of the Act are more clearly expressed and properly interpreted.’
‘When the Humans Rights Commission reports to the Government later this year we hope that they will recommend the adoption of this sensible and balanced reforms.’
‘All Queenslanders are entitled to protection consistent with international law, including people of faith.’
ENDS
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