Freedom of Association

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ALP’s Bill to Severely Limit Freedom of Religious Schools and Colleges and Religious Education in Churches, Mosques, Temples

The Labor Party’s proposed amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act, currently before the Senate, will severely limit the freedom of religious schools and religious adult education institutions which train chaplains, missionaries and in Australia. Summary Contrary to the recommendations of the Ruddock Panel on Religious Freedom, the ALP (Senator Wong) has introduced a Bill into the Senate to amend

By Mark Sneddon| November 30th, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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Greens’ 2018 Schools Bill to Regulate Sermons?

Pre-empting the release of the Ruddock Panel Report on Religious Freedom, the Greens recently introduced a Bill to the Senate. It seeks to amend the Sex Discrimination Act and risks the freedom of religious Australians. The leaked recommendations of the Ruddock Report would continue the current exemptions in the Sex Discrimination Act that allow religious

By Mark Sneddon| November 22nd, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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Submission: Inquiry into Legislative Exemptions that Allow Faith-Based Educational Institutions to Discriminate Against Students, Teachers and Staff

This is a submission prepared for the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. An inquiry was established to consider: Legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and other attributes covered by the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, with particular reference

By Mark Sneddon| November 21st, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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Religious Freedom, True Tolerance and The Right to be Wrong

The protection of freedom of religion and belief is one key feature of a truly tolerant society. As the examples at the end of this article show, in recent times, increased hostility to religion among some cultural elites has led to some key aspects of freedom of religion and belief and related rights being

By Mark Sneddon| September 24th, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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NT’s proposed changes to Anti-Discrimination Law are a bad move for freedoms

Our society is made up of lots of different groups with different views on what makes for a good life. Atheist and religious. CLP and Labor. Socialists and capitalists. Gay and straight. AFL and NRL. Darwin Buffaloes and Southern Districts Crocs supporters. Having a diversity of groups with a diversity of views is a sign

By Mark Sneddon| May 30th, 2018|Freedom of Association|

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Religious Organisations’ Tax Exemption Status: Mark Sneddon quoted in Victorian Parliament Debate

In early May, the Victorian Parliament debated proposed legislation which would see the tax-exempted status of many faith-based organisations revoked. Mark Sneddon and ICS were closely involved in assessing the bill, consulting with parliamentarians, and providing commentary on the potential consequences of the new laws. Below are extracts from the debate which cite Mark's important

By Peter Mulherin| May 22nd, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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EVENT: Public Lecture hosted by RASP, featuring ICS’ Dr Sharon Rodrick

On 18 May the Federal Government’s Inquiry into Religious Liberty under the Chairmanship of Philip Ruddock will present its report. It is very timely that the University of Divinity's Centre for Research in Religion and Social Policy (RASP) invites you to attend the second annual RASP Public Conversation on this significant topic on 1 June

By Peter Mulherin| May 21st, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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EVENT: Mark Sneddon Public Lecture on Proposed NT Laws – Undermining Freedoms

You are invited to a public meeting to hear Mark Sneddon speak on the proposed changes to the NT Anti-Discrimination Act and potential undermining of freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion. Location: Charles Darwin University Mal Nairn Lecture Theatre Date: 30th May, 2018 Time: 19:30-21:30

By Mark Sneddon| May 21st, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

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Testing the Limits of Diversity: A response to “Archipelago or Landmass?”

Editor's note: Will Jones, a UK-based writer and philosopher, has responded to Pete Mulherin and Simon Kennedy's article in POLICY magazine about the importance of voluntary associations for a healthy liberal democracy. We appreciate the civil and thoughtful interaction with our work on this vital issue. You can read some more of his work here. Read

By Simon Kennedy| February 27th, 2018|Civil Society, Featured, Freedom of Association|

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ICS Submission to the Review Panel on Religious Freedom

The Institute for Civil Society made the following submission to the Review Panel on Religious Freedom in February 2018. A PDF of the submission can be found here, including full references and appendices. SUBMISSION TO THE REVIEW PANEL ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Recommendations: A general statutory limitation on government (Federal, State, Territory and local) interference with

By Simon Kennedy| February 15th, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|