Religious Freedom Bills create serious risks for young people
The Religious Freedom Bills create serious risks of negative outcomes for young people, especially those who already face marginalisation, impeding their rights to pursue a healthy, productive life.
Katherine Ellis, CEO of Youth Affairs Council Victoria, the peak body and policy advocate for young people and the youth sector in Victoria says:
“Every young person deserves to have a safe, fair and prosperous future.
“This bill would enable discrimination against young people in ways that are likely to negatively affect their job opportunities, housing security and mental health.
“It would also permit organisations, including health service providers, schools and universities to refuse services to young people.
“YACVic recognises the Government’s desire to protect people of faith from discrimination. However the more appropriate course of action would be to develop a consistent and equal federal Human Rights Act which provides appropriate protection against discrimination for all people, and does not impact access to services, override existing discrimination laws or permit people to discriminate against others.
“The draft Bills should be scrapped and instead the Government should consult with all young people, including young people of faith, to better understand their experiences, and implement legislation that equally protects all young Australians.”
Read our full submission here.
Media contact: Katherine Ellis, YACVic CEO is available for interviews. Please contact Katia Pellicciotta (she/her), YACVic Media and Communications Coordinator on 9267 3744 or KPellicciotta@YACVic.org.au