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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 |
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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. |