You are here:-Tag:Freedom of Conscience

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 | February 15th, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

ICS Submission to the Northern Territory Government on the Anti-Discrimination Act

In September 2017, the Northern Territory's Department of the Attorney General and Justice released a Discussion Paper about the "Modernisation of the Anti-Discrimination Act". They called for comments on the paper. The Institute for Civil Society made the following submission in January 2018. A PDF of the paper can be found here.   Comment on NT

The Unknowns of Assisted Dying

Mark Sneddon & Simon Kennedy, in The Spectator. "Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense during the administration of George W. Bush, famously spoke of different kinds of knowns and unknowns. He was speaking of military intelligence, and about what informs decision-making at a strategic level. The same kind of talk could be used for public policy. With

By | November 25th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Religion and Human Rights: Mark Sneddon on Open House

"The result of the marriage survey, with its consequent change to the law, has opened up the question of religious freedom in Australia. The issue is never too far from the surface, but people disagree about whether and how to protect freedom of religion. Australia is a signatory to international covenants that guarantee freedom of

By | November 21st, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Postal Survey says YES – Legislating for Same Sex Marriage and Protecting Everyone’s Freedoms

 ICS Executive Director, Mark Sneddon, responds to the SSM survey results: A PDF version can be found here. Australians have spoken clearly in the same sex marriage postal survey. 61.6% of those who voted are in favour of same sex marriage. That is a clear mandate and the Parliament should legislate for same sex marriage.

By | November 17th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 – Sending Mixed Messages on Suicide

This article was also published at On Line Opinion and is re-posted here with permission. If the Victorian Parliament passes the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill, it will be sending mixed messages on suicide: it’s not OK for most but it is for some. And that simply isn’t right. Suicide is always a tragedy. As a society

By | October 18th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017: ICS Submission to Parliamentary Committee

The Institute for Civil Society has made a submission to the Victorian Parliament's Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee regarding the Andrews Government's Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. A PDF version can be accessed here.   Statement of Compatibility on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017   12 October 2017 Ms Lizzie Blandthorn MP Scrutiny of Acts

By | October 12th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion, Freedom of Expression|

Flawed assisted dying bill puts vulnerable people at risk

Mark Sneddon and Sharon Rodrick published in The Age on Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017.  Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 provides a regime for a person to request the prescribing of lethal drugs which can be self-administered by the person (i.e. assisted suicide) or in some circumstances administered by a health practitioner (i.e.

By | October 12th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Freedoms Protection and Same Sex Marriage – Video Explainers by Freedom for Faith

"I don't think we have to speculate. All we have to do is look at the countries where same-sex marriage has been brought in." - Prof. Iain Benson "It's not possible for a politician to promise that there will be no changes." - Prof. Janet Epp-Buckingham Besides the ICS publications on this topic, a series of short

By | September 29th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|