ALP Platform 2023

The Australian Labor Party has released a draft platform for comment by Party members.

You can read the full platform and submit responses here

The deadine for submissions is June 23rd.

The most significant sections on religious freedom are listed below. As a whole, this platform is an improvement on the previous platform – which was itself a major improvement on policy platforms in the past. In particular, we are heartened by the commitment to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is the gold standard of religious freedom internationally.

However, we are aware that some activists are trying to water down the strong support for religious freedom, so we cannot take this draft platform for granted.

Freedom for Faith is encouraging ALP members across Australia to make submissions in favour of the current wording, and the inclusion of the ICCPR as our benchmark of religious freedom.

If you are a Party member, or know people who are Party members and are supportive of religious freedom, ask them to make a quick submission.

Writing your submission

First, please contact Freedom for Faith if you are planning to write a submission. It is helpful for us to know who is submitting and from where. We would also love to help you in any way we can, and keep in touch with Christian ALP members to give ongoing encouragement and support.

Submissions do not need to be long or complicated. The best way is to write a short Word document and attach it on the submission form.

Points to make include:

• A multi-cultural society needs to be a multi-faith society, where all faiths are welcomed into the public space
• The importance of religious freedom for all people of faith
• Support for the proposed wording of the policy platform
• Particular support for upholding ICCPR Article 18
• The importance (as recognised in the draft platform) for people of faith to gather together and form organisations and institutions that act in accordance with that faith
• The value of faith-based schools and the importance of continued support

You can read the full platform and submit responses here

Excerpts from the ALP Policy Platform

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Chapter 5:

31. Modern Australia has been built through our multiculturalism. Labor is the party for, and of, multiculturalism. Labor is determined to ensure that the benefits of our diversity are fully realised. This requires political leadership supporting multiculturalism, greater engagement with the full diversity of culturally, religiously, and linguistically diverse Australians, and a commitment to secure inclusive institutions to ensure no-one is left behind.

41. Labor believes that people of faith deserve the same human rights, equality, respect and safety as every other Australian. No Australian should ever be vilified, discriminated against or subjected to violence or threats of violence because of that person’s religion or religious belief. Labor will work to ensure that Australia’s anti-vilification laws and discrimination framework are fit for purpose.
42. Labor believes in and supports the right of all Australians to have and to manifest their religion or beliefs, and the right of religious organisations to act in accordance with the doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of their faith.
43. Labor will protect and promote the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in accordance with Australia’s international obligations, including our obligations under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
44. Labor recognises that the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief, to change a religion or belief, or not to have or adopt a religion or belief, is absolute. Moreover, Labor believes in and supports the right of all Australians to have and to manifest their religion or beliefs, and the right of religious organisations to act in accordance with the doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of their faith. Such rights should be protected by law and, in accordance with Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, subject only to such limitations as are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
45. Labor believes that people of faith deserve the same human rights, equality, respect and safety as every other Australian. No Australian should ever be vilified, discriminated against or subjected to violence or threats of violence because of that person’s religion or religious belief. Labor will therefore ensure that Australia’s anti-vilification laws are fit for purpose.

Non-Government and faith-based schooling

Chapter 2:

67. Public schools are among our nation’s most important institutions and should be fully and fairly funded to deliver excellent education that meets the needs of every child.
68. Labor believes parents have a right to choose a non-government school. Non-government schools should be supported by public funding that reflects need.
69. Labor will work with states and territories to implement a properly funded national needs-based and sector-blind school funding model, to ensure that:a.
    1. all schools are on a path to fair and full funding that meets the needs of all students; and
    2. disadvantaged schools get the biggest funding increases in the shortest time, tied to practical reforms.