Paper Petition

To: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland The Petition of citizens of Queensland draws to the attention of the House The Queensland Government has failed in its duty to hold consultation with the public over proposed amendments of the Queensland Anti- Discrimination Act 1991. The proposed repeal of sections 29, 42 and the amendment to section 109 have outraged us as parents who choose Church based schools for our children’s education because of the values they teach and have done for over 150 years in Australia. We expect our schools to employ teachers of our young people whose values and life-style reflect our own beliefs and the Churches teachings. The proposed amendments are unacceptable because they would remove the right of Religious Institutions to use discretion when choosing their employees.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to consult with religious and church organisations in relation to the proposed amendments; and (a) do not repeal sections 29 and 42, to not amend section 109; or (b) do not appeal section 42, nor amend 109 and clarify the definition of “genuine occupational requirement” in section 25 by inserting: “Includes requirements imposed by a Religious Institution on its employees which are in accordance with the doctrine of the religion concerned and necessary to avoid offending the religious sensitivities of people of the religion”.