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”.