Ruddock religious freedoms review begins as first wave of same-sex couples wed in Australia

DOZENS of same-sex couples have wed across Australia but the fight over religious freedoms is about to start with a major review of Australian laws.

DOZENS of same-sex couples have wed across the country after Australian law changed last year but the fight over religious freedoms is just beginning.

A review into religious freedoms in Australia, launched by Malcolm Turnbull in November in a bid to pass same-sex marriage by Christmas, will begin in earnest today when the review panel meets for the first time in Sydney.

Former Howard Government Minister Philip Ruddock, who will chair the panel, told News Corp the first meeting would set out the consultation process for the review and begin discussing religious freedoms.

Catholic education leaders will be among the groups lobbying the review to ensure protections for religious freedoms are maintained.

National Catholic Education Commission executive director Christian Zahra told News Corp the school authority would be making a submission to the review which would call for Catholic schools to continue to be able to hire staff who supported their teachings.

“The feedback from people in Catholic schools around Australia is that we obviously want to be able to maintain the ability to employ people who share a Catholic worldview in the same way as other organisations are able to employ people who share their values as well,” Mr Zahra said.

Australian Commonwealth Games sprinter Craig Burns (L) and partner Luke Sullivan (R) kiss after their marriage ceremony at Summergrove Estate, New South Wales on January 9. Picture: AFP

The NCEC also used its pre-budget submission to highlight the importance of protecting the rights of religious schools.

“Through their teaching and their employment and enrolment practices, Catholic schools must be able to provide an education that reflects their mission and identity,” the submission said.

“Several international human rights treaties uphold the legal principle of religious freedom but in the context of same-sex marriage legislation, this freedom needs to be reaffirmed domestically.

“The Commonwealth Government must uphold Catholic schools’ ability to teach and foster a school environment that reflects the mission and identity of the Catholic Church and its schools, which Catholic school parents have chosen for their children.”

National Catholic Education Commission executive director Christian Zahra. Picture: Supplied

Liberal senator Eric Abetz, who was an outspoken opponent of the law change during the postal survey, said the review was about “getting the balance right” so Australia did not see the legal battles that occurred in other countries who had made same-sex marriage legal.

The Tasmanian senator told ABC radio he was not aware of any situations in Australia yet of bakers, florists or other companies being forced to supply a same-sex wedding against their beliefs.

Senator Abetz said issues arose with time in other countries but the first major wave of weddings only began today in Australia, one month after the law was passed on December 7, but in other count

Same Sex Marriage Bill passes in the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

“These things didn’t happen on the stroke of midnight when the law came in,” he said.

Senator Abetz welcomed the start of the review.

“There are many men and women of deep ethical conviction who aren’t of a religious disposition who do continue to share concerns about the change of law of same-sex marriage but that bus has moved on,” he said.

“We now have to ensure that we look after the important value and virtue of protecting that fundamental religious freedom, and might I add, freedom of speech as well.

Senator Eric Abetz speaking on same-sex marriage in the chamber. Picture Gary Ramage

“Just as much as men and women were allowed to argue for a change in law, so it should be allowed that men and women of a different view should be allowed to maintain their view that the law should not have been changed.

“That is part and parcel of a democracy of freedom of speech and that is what we need to protect.”

Submissions close on January 31 for the review.

The panel will report back to government by March 31.

Originally published as Ruddock religious freedoms review begins as first wave of same-sex couples wed in Australia