Scott Morrison Used The Bushfires As A Smokescreen To Drop A New Homophobic Bill

In the midst of our current bushfire crisis, you’d be forgiven for forgetting there are other important things happening in Australia right now.

Well, the government is counting on that.

Yesterday they released the final draft of their Religious Discrimination Bill, and people are mad.

To be fair, people were already mad when the first version of the bill was introduced back in August. But the fact the government thought yesterday — in the middle of a bushfire crisis — would be a good time to unveil the new version really pissed people off.

The PM is in Sydney on worst smoke day we’ve had – smoke alarms being set off in commerical buildings, daycares and schools not letting children outside, 5 million people can’t breathe properly.
His presser is on the religious discrimination bill

— Bridie Jabour (@bkjabour) December 9, 2019

There is currently no location in NSW that has air quality below hazardous levels, but that’s ok because we will soon have the right to vilify under religious freedom. #SmoKo #NotMyPrimeMinister #nswbushfire pic.twitter.com/oPbpDbrFVM

— chris-is-the-modern-world (@chris_modern) December 10, 2019

People are worried the bill is basically a giant cover to let religious groups discriminate against LGBTIQ groups, but our prime minister says it’s important to protect religious freedom.

We know that’s important to him — this is the guy who offered “thoughts and prayers” to bushfire victims instead of, ya know, something that would actually make a difference like funding for firefighters.

Yay – exactly what Jesus would have wanted – more discrimination.

— Stephen Gloor (@StephenGloor) December 10, 2019

The changes narrow in on “conscientious objection” for nurses, midwives, doctors, psychologists and pharmacists, meaning they cannot discriminate against a patient however they can refuse certain procedures. This could lead to places refusing to sell contraception, provide abortions, or provide hormone therapy.

Religious bodies, which was expanded yesterday to include religious charities registered as “benevolent institutions,” will also be able to hire staff based on religion — giving preference to those of the same faith.

Advocating that marriage should be a union between a man and a woman will not disqualify “charitable institutions” from being considered a charity.

“Express their Catholic faith in their hiring practices”

Just call it right to discriminate.

— Cryptic Jacknife #glitchingisart (@CrypticJacknife) December 10, 2019

It also allows religious camps and conference centres to “take faith into account” when deciding whether to provide accommodation to people.

Another key change is also being referred to as the Folau clause — it forbids qualifying bodies from imposing rules “such as social media codes of conduct” that restrict people from making statements of belief in their own time.

A lot of that sounds less like protecting religious folk from discrimination, and more like giving them more power for them to discriminate.

We waste all this time and effort supporting an industry that doesn’t pay tax, discriminates and promotes division. Is this for real?

— LifeInAGlass (@AnnaMantchakidi) December 10, 2019

I can’t believe we’re still fighting about protecting people’s rights to discriminate based on their imaginary friends in law.

— Mattie V (@mattiev27) December 10, 2019

Allowing “religious” organisations to be total pricks and abandon the true tenants of Christianity. The likes of the @ACLobby have trademarked their own brand of hardline Christianity, as remote from the teachings of Jesus as you can possibly be.

— Dean (@deanfc72) December 10, 2019

Never before was it so evident that Politics and Religion don’t mix than now, when our ScroMo @ScottMorrisonMP so-called Prime Minister believes thoughts and prayers are more effective than actual action against the fires. #NotMyPrimeMinister

— Keep Forgetting Cup (@janiepooooo) December 10, 2019

It’s important to note that Australia’s Fair Work Act already bans discrimination in the workplace based on religious belief.

I'm fucking over this country lately #notmyprimeminister

— Luri (@smollestfawn) December 10, 2019

“Religious discrimination bill” is a such a nice way to say “bill to stop those gays and women from getting too uppity”, or “Christians should be able to discriminate against others bill” (because we all know this bill isn’t for all religions).

— Alice Clarke (@Alicedkc) December 11, 2019

The government is planning to introduce the legislation to parliament early next year, and public comment on the bill is open until January 21 2020.

To find out how to make a submission visit here.