Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 [Provisions], Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 [Provisions] and Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 [Provisions]

February 2022

© Commonwealth of Australia 2022
ISBN: 978-1-76093-342-5

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Abbreviations

Members

List of Recommendations

Chapter 1—Introduction

  Conduct of the inquiry
  Acknowledgement
  Structure of this report
  Overview of the bills
  Key provisions
  Financial impact
  Consideration by other parliamentary committees

Chapter 2—A mechanism to protect against religious discrimination

  Commonwealth anti-discrimination law
  Support for protection from religious discrimination
  Consequential amendments bill
  Specific provisions

Chapter 3—Issues in relation to human rights and discrimination

  International human rights framework
  Overriding other human rights
  Statements of belief
  Discrimination in religious education institutions
  Human rights for groups and corporations
  Sex Discrimination Act

Chapter 4—Other issues

  Constitutional impacts
  Questions of jurisdiction – tribunals and courts
  Impact on services in rural and regional areas
  Suggested amendments

Chapter 5—Committee view

Additional comments from Australian Labor Party senators

  Introduction
  Election commitments and broken promises
  The committee’s inquiry and report
  Other concerns with the Religious Discrimination Bill
  Conclusion

Dissenting report from the Australian Greens

  The importance of protecting human rights
  The flawed process to date
  Flaws in the government’s proposed bill
  This bill will have a devastating impact on people’s lives
  Broad community opposition
  Fundamental flaws in the government’s approach

Additional comments from Senator Andrew Bragg

  Statement of belief
  Existing discrimination against students and teachers

Appendix 1—Submissions and additional information

Appendix 2—Public hearings

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3560
legcon.sen@aph.gov.au