Take NSW Parliament 30 second online survey by Friday 21 August and support a Bill that protects Religious Freedom.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia urges all Orthodox Faithful and every resident in NSW to raise their voice in support of the NSW Bill that protects against discrimination on the basis of religion. He calls on people to take the NSW Parliament 30 second online survey by Friday 21 August 2020 and to support the Bill by ticking SUPPORT here.
NSW is one of only two states that do not protect its citizens against religious discrimination. The proposed amendments implement the recommendation of the Ruddock Review on Religious Freedom, that NSW should update its discrimination laws to protect people of faith. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is supportive of the proposed amendments and will be making a detailed submission to the Joint Committee.
The Archbishop reminds faithful that it is very easy for them to make their voice heard, too and advises them to simply complete the short survey at this link indicating that they support the proposed legislation. He also gives instructions to people on how to take the online survey, such as that the first question merely asks to tick if you support the Bill.
The second question is optional and asks you to indicate why you support the Bill. If you want to respond to this question you can use the points below in your own words if these correctly express your views. Responses are due by Friday 21 August 2020.
Archbishop Makarios adds:
• I was shocked to discover that citizens in NSW could be denied service in a shop or a contractor sacked because of their religious beliefs, and not have any legal remedy.
• I believe that an employer should not be able to dictate how an employee expresses their religious views in his or her own time (eg. on social media).
• NSW is out of step with most other States and Territories because it does not protect its citizens against religious discrimination. The current Act is lopsided and unfair, because it protects some rights, but excludes religious belief.
• One of the recommendations of the Ruddock Review was that NSW should include religious belief and activity as a protected attribute, and this should be implemented now.
• People of faith don’t need special rights, but it is only fair that our rights are respected equally with other rights.
• I believe that religious schools, hospitals, and charities should be able to operate according to their religious beliefs, and should be able to employ staff who share the religious faith of that organisation.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
