This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/07/labor-has-no-plans-to-change-law-allowing-religious-schools-to-fire-gay-teachers
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Labor has 'no plans' to change law allowing religious schools to fire gay teachers | Labor has 'no plans' to change law allowing religious schools to fire gay teachers |
| (8 days later) | |
| Tanya Plibersek indicates the opposition intends to defend the status quo in the freedom of religion debate | |
| Paul Karp | |
| Sun 7 Jan 2018 04.29 GMT | |
| Last modified on Sun 7 Jan 2018 04.30 GMT | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| View more sharing options | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Close | |
| Labor has “no plans” to change religious exemptions in discrimination law that allow religious schools to fire teachers based on their sexuality, Tanya Plibersek has said. | Labor has “no plans” to change religious exemptions in discrimination law that allow religious schools to fire teachers based on their sexuality, Tanya Plibersek has said. |
| While the Labor deputy leader did not rule out a future Labor government considering such changes, her comments on Sunday indicate the opposition will defend the status quo during the Ruddock religious freedom review. | While the Labor deputy leader did not rule out a future Labor government considering such changes, her comments on Sunday indicate the opposition will defend the status quo during the Ruddock religious freedom review. |
| On Sunday the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) released its pre-budget submission, which reiterated the importance of religious freedom to be reflected in schools’ teaching, employment and enrolment practices. | On Sunday the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) released its pre-budget submission, which reiterated the importance of religious freedom to be reflected in schools’ teaching, employment and enrolment practices. |
| It noted the passage of same-sex marriage legislation and said religious freedom had to be upheld so Catholic schools could “teach and foster a school environment that reflects the mission and identity of the Catholic church”. | It noted the passage of same-sex marriage legislation and said religious freedom had to be upheld so Catholic schools could “teach and foster a school environment that reflects the mission and identity of the Catholic church”. |
| Religious schools are currently exempt from federal discrimination law in relation to employment and provision of education in accordance with their beliefs. Similar exemptions exist in state discrimination laws. | Religious schools are currently exempt from federal discrimination law in relation to employment and provision of education in accordance with their beliefs. Similar exemptions exist in state discrimination laws. |
| Asked about the call for religious schools’ ability to retain a power to sack gay teachers Plibersek told reporters in Sydney “we’re not proposing to change any of the current exemptions for Catholic schools”. | Asked about the call for religious schools’ ability to retain a power to sack gay teachers Plibersek told reporters in Sydney “we’re not proposing to change any of the current exemptions for Catholic schools”. |
| “What I would say is that most Catholic schools are very thoughtful about keeping the very best staff,” she said. “I don’t expect to see a spate of people sacked because of their sexuality.” | “What I would say is that most Catholic schools are very thoughtful about keeping the very best staff,” she said. “I don’t expect to see a spate of people sacked because of their sexuality.” |
| In November a Baptist school in Rockingham, Western Australia, sacked a relief teacher who revealed his sexuality in a Facebook post. | In November a Baptist school in Rockingham, Western Australia, sacked a relief teacher who revealed his sexuality in a Facebook post. |
| During the marriage law postal survey campaign the Catholic church threatened to sack gay teachers, nurses and other staff if they engaged in civil same-sex weddings in breach of church doctrine. | During the marriage law postal survey campaign the Catholic church threatened to sack gay teachers, nurses and other staff if they engaged in civil same-sex weddings in breach of church doctrine. |
| Plibersek said Labor had “no plans to change anti discrimination law at schools at the moment, we think the balance is about right”. | Plibersek said Labor had “no plans to change anti discrimination law at schools at the moment, we think the balance is about right”. |
| In November during the marriage equality debate the Turnbull government asked former attorney general, Philip Ruddock, to head a snap review of religious freedom in Australia. | In November during the marriage equality debate the Turnbull government asked former attorney general, Philip Ruddock, to head a snap review of religious freedom in Australia. |
| The religious freedom review is accepting initial submissions until 31 January and will report back by 31 March. | The religious freedom review is accepting initial submissions until 31 January and will report back by 31 March. |
| On Wednesday Ruddock said the expert panel, which will meet for the first time next Wednesday, had made no decision on whether or not to keep submissions to it secret. | On Wednesday Ruddock said the expert panel, which will meet for the first time next Wednesday, had made no decision on whether or not to keep submissions to it secret. |
| Before the 2016 election the Greens promised to remove religious exemptions to discrimination law for religious schools. | Before the 2016 election the Greens promised to remove religious exemptions to discrimination law for religious schools. |
| In its 2018 budget submission the NCEC asks for a further $1.1bn to transition to the Gonski 2.0 funding package over 10 years rather than six. | In its 2018 budget submission the NCEC asks for a further $1.1bn to transition to the Gonski 2.0 funding package over 10 years rather than six. |
| According to the NCEC the schools reform allows overfunded independent schools a 10-year transition period before they reach their allocation of federal funding. | According to the NCEC the schools reform allows overfunded independent schools a 10-year transition period before they reach their allocation of federal funding. |
| Catholic systemic schools reach their share in six years, resulting in a “$1.1bn financial penalty” relative to independent schools, the NCEC argues. | Catholic systemic schools reach their share in six years, resulting in a “$1.1bn financial penalty” relative to independent schools, the NCEC argues. |
| The education minister, Simon Birmingham, has rejected what he calls a “scare campaign” and pointed to the fact Catholic schools will get $300m next year and $3.5bn over the decade. | The education minister, Simon Birmingham, has rejected what he calls a “scare campaign” and pointed to the fact Catholic schools will get $300m next year and $3.5bn over the decade. |
| Plibersek recommitted Labor to “restore every dollar” cut by the federal government from projected funding growth, or $17bn over 10 years. | Plibersek recommitted Labor to “restore every dollar” cut by the federal government from projected funding growth, or $17bn over 10 years. |
| Labor party | |
| Religion | |
| Australian politics | |
| Tanya Plibersek | |
| LGBT rights | |
| news | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Reuse this content |