More than 80 organisations have come together to urge the NSW Parliament not to implement One Nation NSW’s Religious Discrimination Bill.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, ACON, Western Sydney Community Forum, Diversity Council of Australia, Women With Disabilities Australia, The Foundation for Young Australians, NSW Teachers Federation, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Wagga Women’s Health Centre, Uniting NSW/ACT, Unions NSW, NSW Women’s Electoral Lobby, and BLAQ Aboriginal Corporation are amongst the more than 80 organisations who have already signed on to the joint statement in opposition to the Bill.

There are concerns about the impact of the Bill on the right to judgement-free, accessible and safe healthcare, and privileging religious beliefs to the detriment of women, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disabilities and people with different beliefs in workplace, education and service settings.

Equality Australia CEO, Anna Brown, says: “This Bill is a threat to hard-won gains for equality. It takes us backwards and threatens inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people, women, and even people of faith. It’s important that people of faith are protected from discrimination but that cannot extend to a right to discriminate against anyone else.”

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Albert Kruger, adds: “The proposed Bill to redefine anti-discrimination law in NSW has serious problems which would create problematic double standards. It would make it possible for faith-based organisations to challenge existing inclusive policies and programs, and would give protection to religious activities which are unlawful – including unfair treatment of minorities.”

READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE