Queensland church leaders have welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s decision to pause changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act to allow “further consultation and policy work”. Source: The Catholic Leader.
A Government statement said the changes were “pushed through Parliament in the dying days of the former Miles (Labor) government” and due to come into effect on July 1.
Queensland Churches Together, of which Brisbane Archdiocese is a signatory, has welcomed the additional time for consultation.
QCT general secretary Reverend David Baker said Queensland faith leaders appreciated the Government’s willingness to listen to voices from faith communities and other stakeholders.
“We all want to see respectful workplaces for every Queenslander without undermining core freedoms like religious expression,” he said.
“A process with deeper engagement and open dialogue will help make that happen.”
Reverend Baker said the pause “gives community members, faith groups, and policymakers the space to refine the legislation in a way that upholds both dignity and fundamental freedoms”.
“We look forward to constructive conversations that lead to truly inclusive legislation,” he said.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said delaying the commencement date was a sensible decision to provide certainty to stakeholders.
“Reforming discrimination law is a difficult and complex process that attracts significant stakeholder interest, which is why it shouldn’t have been rushed by the former Labor government,” Ms Frecklington said.
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Church leaders welcome Crisafulli Government’s pause on anti-discrimination reforms (By Joe Higgins, The Catholic Leader)
