New legislation has been introduced into the South Australian Parliament which if passed would ensure religious schools cannot knock back job applications from prospective teachers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation introduced by Greens MLC Robert Simms would remove current exemptions for schools from anti-discrimination laws in South Australia. Under existing South Australian law, religious bodies can discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity when hiring teachers or workers at other religious-run services. Before the 2022 federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to overhaul religious protection laws at a federal level, but that legislation has not been introduced. Mr Simms said current state law was facilitating discrimination and must be changed. He said government and opposition MPs should be granted a conscience vote on the issue.
One Nation MLC Sarah Game said she would strongly oppose the legislation. “If this bill becomes law, schools and religious organisations will no longer have the right to select or terminate staff members on the basis of shared moral and ethical standards and beliefs,” she said. “So, for example, a Catholic school could effectively be forced to employ a teacher who espouses gender fluidity and other woke principles.” A Malinauskas Government spokesman said, “the government will review it carefully before forming a position”.
Source: Compiled by APN from media reports
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