Equal Opportunity Act's religious exemptions need revamp: gay lobby

Equal Opportunity Act's religious exemptions need revamp: gay lobby.

Churches' special right to discriminate should be tightened.

17 May 2006

Gay and Lesbian Equality (WA) Inc. has described exemptions given to religious organisations under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 as being too broad, saying the scope of the exemption should be tightened to prevent unfair treatment.

GALE's call for Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson to recommend tightening the exemption comes on the second anniversary of the International Day Against Homophobia.

GALE Convenor Rod Swift says the exemptions allow religious groups to get away with unfairly discriminating against both employees and the general public.

"Every day in Western Australia, religious-based groups advertise for employees and require those prospective employees to abide by the tenets of their faith.  Now, while such requirements are fair in the case of employing a teacher in a religious school or a religious minister, it is blatantly unfair when employing a gardener, telephonist or secretary," Mr Swift said.

"We support tightening the exemptions fairly, so religious groups generally comply with the same standards of equal opportunity as other organisations.  Religious groups should only be allowed to discriminate where a job's tasks primarily involves religious instruction."

Mr Swift also said exemptions to the Act should be tightened in the provision of goods and services by religious groups, especially educational services.

"In 2002, Kingsway College expelled a student based on the student's mother being in an de facto relationship.  It is undeniable that such behaviour by a religious school provides undue hardship and discrimination and the religious exemption should be removed," Mr Swift said.

"Similarly, religious groups providing government-sponsored social services to the community should not be allowed to discriminate against certain groups when providing those services."

MEDIA COMMENT:

Rod Swift GALE Convenor 0417 890 111

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