What we do
Advocacy
We support denominations, organisations, churches and other faith communities to advocate effectively for religious freedom. This includes supporting faith leaders as they meet with politicians, resourcing “meet your candidate” forums during elections, and making it easy for people to write to, call and meet with their local MP to advocate on issues of religious freedom.
Legal Analysis
We provide world-class analysis of legislation and proposals to church leaders and other faith groups, writing submissions to Government and assisting and coordinating other responses.
Read our submissions and articles at our online public library
Our Current Campaigns
NSW “Conversion Therapy”
On March 22, the Conversion Practices Act was passed by Parliament after a marathon night in the Legislative Council.
This legislation is a genuine attempt by the NSW Government to keep its promises to faith communities. However, there are important area where it is unclear. The Liberal Party, Shooters and Fishers, One Nation and Liberal Democrats all moved amendments to improve the bill, which failed, as did the amendments from the Greens that would have made the bill much worse.
NSW “Equality” bill
The independent Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, has introduced his “Equality” bill, which would significantly undermine religious freedom in NSW. In collaboration with the heads of churches and a wide range of faith groups, Freedom for Faith has coordinated a campaign to call, write and meet with local MPs. We are also directly engaging with the Government and opposition on the future of the bill, and resourcing faith leaders in their advocacy.
The legislation has been referred to a Parliamentary Committee for Inquiry. The first stage is a public survey. We encourage everyone to participate, it will take less than a minute and help the Government understand our objections to this damaging legislation.
Federal Religious Discrimination Bill and faith-based schools
On March 21, the Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus tabled the final Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Report following their Inquiry into Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws. This report recommends gutting the ability of faith-based schools to employ people who live out their faith. In the same week, Anthony Albanese was reported saying that he would not act on the ALRC report or a Religious Discrimination Bill without bipartisan support.
Freedom for Faith will continue to work with heads of faith, the Government and Opposition, and grassroots campaigning to develop a bi-partisan position that will implement a religious discrimination bill and protect faith-based schools.
Queensland Anti-Discrimination legislation
The Queensland Government has just released its proposed Anti-Discrimination legislation. This legislation would severely limit religious freedom, and the ability for churches, faith-based institutions and schools to operate based on their faith and employ people who live out that faith.
Freedom for Faith is currently working with the heads of churches and other faith groups to develop a response, including legal submissions and a public campaign.
Sign up below to be the first to hear updates on the Queensland Anti-discrimination bill
Tasmanian Election March 2024
In collaboration with the combined heads of churches in Tasmania, Freedom for Faith has supported churches in every Tasmanian electorate to hold a “meet your candidate” forum. These forums ran from the 12th to the 18th of March.
See more details at meetyourcandidates.org.au
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