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Published: 12:56, November 25, 2021 | Updated: 13:04, November 25, 2021
Australia introduces contentious religious anti-bias bill
By Reuters
Published:12:56, November 25, 2021 Updated:13:04, November 25, 2021 By Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gestures during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Nov 22, 2021. (LUKAS COCH/AAP IMAGE VIA AP)

SYDNEY – Australia on Thursday introduced contentious religious anti-discrimination legislation to parliament that, if approved, would allow faith-based organizations to prioritize the hiring and enrolment of people from their faith.

Religious freedom has been in the spotlight in Australia for years amid concern from some that the likes of churches, schools, and workplaces are unable to express their religious beliefs.

ALSO READ: Majority of Muslims in Australia faced discrimination, says report

People should not be cancelled or persecuted or vilified because their beliefs are different from someone else's.

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister, Australia

In a move seen as targeting religious voters with an election just months away, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the legislation would protect people who express their religious faith outside of the workplace as long as it did not cause financial damage to their employer.

"People should not be canceled or persecuted or vilified because their beliefs are different from someone else's," said Morrison, a devout Pentecostal Christian, while introducing the bill in the parliament's lower house.

Morrison said the legislation would also protect Australians who make "statements of belief" from discrimination laws, but only if those statements do not "threaten, intimidate, harass or vilify a person or group".

Australia's existing Sex Discrimination Act allows schools to expel students or sack teachers for being gay. Morrison pledged in 2018 to reform the legislation.

LGBT groups support reforming the Act but have criticized the new bill saying it would enable discrimination against gay students and teachers as it permits prioritizing the hiring and enrolment of people based on faith.

The bill has also divided the parliament, with some conservative government lawmakers threatening to vote against the legislation until Morrison moves to abolish state mandates requiring COVID-19 vaccines.

READ MORE: Australian treasurer accused of racism towards Hindus

The legislation is expected to be put to a vote next week in the lower house, but it is far from guaranteed to pass into law. The bill is expected to be reviewed before being voted on in the upper house Senate sometime in 2022-23.

Australia's parliament is in its last sitting fortnight for the year and Morrison could call an election before it resumes in 2022. Morrison must return to the polls by May 2022.

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