Clearer laws on religious discrimination will help people navigate the different views of a multicultural society, according to Farrer MP Sussan Ley.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Details of the government's religious discrimination bill are yet to be released, as it is still being drafted by Attorney-General Christian Porter.
"The principle is this: no one should ever be able to prevent you from, within the bounds of reason, joining a club or entering a public premises because of your age, or your sex or your race - why shouldn't we have a law that says the same thing about your religion?" he said last week.
While the focus has been on cases such as Israel Folau's sacking due to controversial comments based on his Christian beliefs, Ms Ley pointed to benefits for people of other religions.
"I would confidently say the majority of Farrer is against sexual or racial discrimination but the law, particularly in NSW, is not clear for cases involving religious vilification," she said.
"Our region is made up of many people expressing commitment to a variety of faiths and equally many who don't.
"Closer consultation on the current range of laws and how they work in the 'real world' will help the Parliament stay connected with the diverse range of views you expect in any successful multicultural society."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Indi MP Helen Haines has not revealed where she stands on the issue of religious discrimination, but has been talking to various parties about their views.
This has included a briefing from Equality Australia legal advocacy director Lee Carnie, who is worried the new laws could be used to discriminate against the LGBT community and wants exemptions removed from religious people who can discriminate when employing staff or delivering services.
Ms Haines said she is keen to hear to views of people in Indi, but expects there is a long way to go before the bill will come up in Parliament.
Father Peter MacLeod-Miller from St Matthew's Anglican Church said Christians should be more concerned for the welfare of vulnerable people.
"In Australia religious organisations are noted for their intolerance rather than freedoms and legislation will be used as a weapon to promote faith based prejudice," he said.
"The current priority of the Morrison government is legislation to 'protect' religious freedom represent a threat to the freedoms of all.
"Those calling to enshrine the freedoms of religious institutions and imperatives are disturbingly unconcerned about the freedoms of others."
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here