Decision details

Moved by Councillor Thalis, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –  

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         NSW One Nation Leader Mark Latham MLC introduced the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 into the Legislative Council earlier this year;

(ii)        this bill aims to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977;

(iii)      the bill contains provisions which could harm people who are divorced or unmarried, women, people with disabilities and our LGBTQI community;

(iv)      the bill allows religious organisations to discriminate against people whose beliefs are inconsistent with theirs and to preference people whose beliefs are aligned with their own, adding to existing broad religious exemptions;

(v)       the bill allows organisations and corporate bodies that define themselves as religious to challenge decisions (including decisions of Council) made under NSW laws or NSW government programs and contracts that contradict their religions, even those that are government-funded;

(vi)      the bill fails to protect people of faith equally, introducing unbalanced provisions on religious dress that draws inspiration from overseas attempts to ban full face coverings;

(vii)     a Joint Select Committee has been appointed to inquire and report into the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020, including whether the objectives of the bill are valid and (if so) whether the terms of the bill are appropriate for securing its objectives;

(viii)    Woollahra Council and Inner West Council have passed motions opposing the bill; and

(ix)      this Council opposes the harmful Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 which conflicts with the values of the City of Sydney; and

(B)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020, Gabrielle Upton MP, to inform her of this Council’s opposition to the bill.

Carried unanimously.

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