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
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
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
"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
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.
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
This article was originally published at The Spectator Australia website and is re-posted here with permission. The Parliament of Victoria is about to vote on a bill to legalise assisted suicide and euthanasia. Health Minister Jill Hennessy has claimed it has robust safeguards. But the bill is not as safe as it is made out
"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
Executive Summary This paper outlines some of the implications of same sex marriage. One of these is the accelerated legal and cultural damage to freedom of speech, conscience and religion for those who support traditional marriage. That issue is not just about forcing ministers to conduct weddings or bakers to bake cakes for same sex
Mark Sneddon quoted in The Australian: "Rights Clash Looms in Same-Sex Debate" by Paul Kelly, 12/8/17 "Institute for Civil Society executive director Mark Sneddon summarises his views based on his submission to the Senate committee: “I am extremely concerned about the lack of legal protection across this country in terms of freedom of conscience, belief
