Barnaby Joyce, please oppose the Religious Discrimination Bill.
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As a mother, former nurse and resident of the New England, I must say that the redrafted Bill is of great concern to me. Key provisions in this Bill are not like other discrimination laws. Unprecedented provisions go too far and may protect those who wish to use their religious beliefs to intimidate others.
The Bill currently privileges religious belief over other human rights - this is fundamentally unfair. It introduces new and special protections for those with harmful religious views - to the detriment of others.
Our anti-discrimination laws should apply to everyone, equally.
Under this Bill, women, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disability, and those from minority faiths are at risk of intimidation and harmful discrimination.
This is in complete opposition to the rights afforded to them by our Anti-Discrimination laws.
Even though the healthcare provisions have changed since the first draft, it still privileges religious belief over patient need in accessing judgement-free health care. It could affect women, people with a disability, and LGBTIQ+ people simply trying to access appropriate health services. As a former nurse, I am shocked that our Government would push for such unacceptable conditions. Patient care should always be the priority in our healthcare system.
It is important to me that all rights are balanced andprotected equally. I do not support the Bill in its current form and cannot support any Bill that creates special privileges for one group of Australians over another or threatens our healthcare system. Neither should you.