ࡱ> %` r&bjbj"x"x <6@@d TTTTTTTT:^:^:^8r^^Td\^^^^^___$h(h Tf__ff TT^^HiiifT^T^ifii@TT^^ :^ g^ۗ840dkgHp\T[_a0ibc___ hH___dffffTTT]TTT]TTTTTTTTT  24th February 2009 Email: frb@humanrights.gov.au Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century Race Discrimination Unit: Education and Partnerships Section Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001 Members of the Devonport Christian Leaders Association (DCLA) welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century project. The DCLA acknowledges the complexity surrounding some contemporary religious issues in an increasingly multi-faith Australia, many of which are referred to in the areas and questions covered by the Discussion Paper. However we seek to briefly highlight three main questions in this submission: 1. Is there a role for religious voices, alongside others in the policy debates of the nation? 2. Do religious or faith-based groups have undue influence over government and/or does the government have undue influence over religious or faith based groups? 3. Is section 116 of the Constitution an adequate protection of freedom of religion and belief? Is there a role for religious voices, alongside others in the policy debates of the nation? The DCLA is concerned about the motivation and assumptions behind this review. Statements made publicly both during the launch of the review and subsequently, as well as questions such as this in the Discussion Paper, leave one questioning what is driving such a comprehensive, national review of freedom of religion in Australia. There doesnt appear to be any major problems with freedom of religion in Australian society today. This was confirmed during Senate Estimates on 23rd February 2009, when race discrimination commissioner Tom Calma said complaints received from members of the public regarding threats to freedom of religion in Australia would be very minimal, despite there being a link on the website of the Human Rights Commission specifically for the purpose of lodging complaints. Contrary to the underlying assumptions of this review, many in fact would claim Australia is the freest nation on earth. All Australian citizens, regardless of religious belief or affiliation, not only have a right but a responsibility to be involved in the democratic process of the nation. We believe that all citizens involved in policy debates contribute from their personal or organisational worldview perspective. This is true for both religious and non-religious people alike. All people have a set of beliefs and values they seek to live by, and are informed by these as they make decisions and participate in public debate across the nation. The DCLA argues that there is indeed a role for religious voices in the policy debates and political processes of Australia, as indeed there is a role for all Australians, both individually and corporately. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are two pillars of democracy, and have served this nation well. Such democratic rights are well established under international covenants and this nations history, and its vital that freedom of all to participate in the democratic process remains for the good of the country. Do religious or faith-based groups have undue influence over government and/or does the government have undue influence over religious or faith based groups? The short answer is no, notwithstanding some dangerous elements of anti-discrimination and religious vilification laws in some states around Australia. In fact s116 of the Constitution as noted below clearly alludes to the protection of the church from illegitimate influence of government authorities. However this does not mean that religious organisations have automatic rights within government, but they do have a right to participate in the democratic process and seek to influence public policy debates just like any other individuals of groups. Its important to remember that separation of church and state was never intended to mean that religious views have no place in public debate. Churches and faith-based organisations also play an essential role in delivering crucial services to benefit and serve the Australian community. The services provided are broad covering areas in health and education, counselling, crisis accommodation, aged care and so on. Down through history faith-based communities have been at the forefront of meeting social needs. The reason for this is that practically meeting needs within our communities is at the heart of our ethos, loving your neighbour as yourself. We believe the Government would acknowledge that they couldnt get the job done without the contribution of faith-based organisations, and appreciate their valuable contribution. One of the questions raised in the Discussion Paper was: Should religious organisations (including religious schools, hospitals and other service delivery agencies) exclude people from employment because of their sexuality or their sex and gender identity? This is not an area where the state should interfere. It is important that any organisation can employ people whose values align with those of the organisation and represent the mission or cause. It is unreasonable to expect a religious organisation to employ someone who does not agree with the central doctrines, tenets and beliefs or with their mission. The Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 in Tasmania allows employment exemptions for religious organisations, and we strongly believe these must remain. Unfortunately in other states such exemptions are the subject of current review. If such exemptions were removed, this would constitute undue influence by governing authorities over religious or faith-based groups. Is s 116 of the Constitution an adequate protection of freedom of religion and belief? Section 116 of the Commonwealth Constitution reads as follows: 116 Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth. This statement is clear and has served both the government and people of religious faith well in this country. However this provision unambiguously intends to protect religion from undue influence by the state, allowing the free exercise of any religion. We recognise that Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) is more comprehensive and detailed in protecting freedom of religion, but should not be enshrined into law through a Religious Freedom Act, Charter of Human Rights, or any other legislative instrument. There is case law to suggest that such legislative provisions only serve to undermine freedom of religion, the very thing they are supposed to protect. S116 of the Constitution has served Australia well since federation in 1901. However today it is often misinterpreted to suggest that those holding public office should not allow their decisions to be influenced by their religious beliefs. If this was to apply to people of faith then it should also apply to those with secular beliefs. Accordingly our position is that we believe the current arrangements serve the Australian community. Australia is perhaps the freest nation on earth, and we would like to see it stay that way. Thank you for the opportunity to make this submission. Yours sincerely, Ps Brian Webber Chairman DCLA On behalf of the following member churches: Christian City Church Ps Brian Webber Church of Christ Ps Bruce Edwards Oldaker St Christian Centre Ps Nick Overton Gateway Church Ps Andrew Hillier Salvation Army Captain Chris Clarke Christian Reformed Church Ps Martyn Crawford     4\_c   v w   & ' be0۷ۥ|h|h|h|V?,h]ch]c5B*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph&h]c6B*CJOJQJ^JaJph,h]ch]c6B*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph4g % & ' 01@7$8$H$^gd]c 7$8$H$gd]cd&q&01A01P w=> '%F%۲u`K)h]c5B* CJOJQJ\^JaJph)h]ch]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph&h]c6B*CJOJQJ^JaJph,h]ch]c6B*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph,h]ch]c5B*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph#h]cB*CJOJQJ^JaJph@AMNPQ w ""$$%%'%7$8$H$^gd]c 7$8$H$gd]c'%(%8%F%r%%%%&5&d&f&g&i&j&l&m&o&p&q&r&gdmLgd]c 7$8$H$gd]cF%r%c&d&e&g&h&j&k&m&n&q&r&hGjhGU hV/h*#h]cB* CJOJQJ^JaJph/h]c56B* CJOJQJ\]^JaJph :&P 1h:pqBP. 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