MEDIA RELEASE



Wednesday, 20th February 2013



The Australian Christian Lobby has backed the push by shadow Attorney-General George Brandis to ensure that basic human rights are better protected.



ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace agreed with concerns raised by Senator Brandis that the Australian Human Rights Commission is focused too much on anti-discrimination to the detriment of basic freedoms such as speech and religion.



“It is important basic human rights are not subordinated to other agendas. Where other right claims conflict with long-established human rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, it should be a greater priority of the Australian Human Rights Commission to defend and advocate for these,” he said.



“Whilst non-discrimination and equality are important, it is also important that these do not subordinate human rights which make for a free society.



“It is absolutely essential for free speech and the freedom of religion that people are able to express and live their views about family, marriage and life in the public square without fear of being subject to an anti-discrimination claim because their views differ from others.



“ACL believes human rights are paramount to a well-functioning society and that Christian values contributed to some of the most significant progress in the development of human rights as evidenced through the anti-slavery and civil rights movements,” Mr Wallace said.



Mr Wallace urged the Government to also consider the direction of the AHRC and re-orientate its work to protecting basic human rights.

For release: April 15, 2010

The Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed a commitment from Victorian Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu that if elected a Coalition Government would introduce legislation that would effectively fix the draconian provisions in the Brumby Government's Equal Opportunity Bill in relation to religious organisations and the sweeping new powers being given to the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Mr Baillieu confirmed the Coalition parties' commitment when he met with ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace and ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward together with Shadow Attorney-General Robert Clark, at Parliament House in Melbourne yesterday.

Mr Ward said churches, Christian schools and religious charities would breathe easier without the 'big brother' investigative powers the Bill grants the Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission.

And allowing religious organisations the same freedom that political parties enjoy to employ people who shared their ethos was also welcome.

“We hope the Government will look seriously at today's commitment by the Opposition and amend the Bill so religious groups are not looking over their shoulder,” Mr Ward said.

“It is ludicrous that the Commission could be given powers of investigation when no complaint has been made and that churches and Christian schools would not be free to hire people who reflect their ethos as a matter of course in the same way political parties do.”

Media Contact: Rob Ward 0408 348 352.