Victorian Liberals to wind back controversial religion law

Matthew Guy says if he wins the state election he will change a “discriminatory” law that forces religious schools to hire staff they don’t want.

Faith-based hiring has just become a state election issue, with the Opposition pledging to allow religious schools to select all staff according to their faith.

On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said it was discriminatory to force religious schools to hire staff they don’t want.

He committed to amending the Equal Opportunity Act to give more power to faith-based schools to hire all staff on the basis of religion if he wins the election in November, and not just those in religious positions.

Recent changes to the state’s Equal Opportunity Act mean religious schools cannot refuse to hire people based on protected attributes such as sexuality, religion, gender identity or marital status.

The only exemption is religious beliefs where it is part of the job, such as a chaplain or Christian Education teacher.

Religious schools cannot refuse to hire people based on protected attributes such as sexuality, religion, gender identity or marital status..

“Catholic Schools should have the right to hire Catholic staff and Jewish Schools should hire people from the Jewish faith and it’s the same for Islamic schools,” Mr Guy said.

Mr Guy said faith was “throughout the whole school. Faith is not one RE class three times a week”.

“People who don’t respect forms of faith think that’s fine but I don’t.”

He said the government’s legislation “discriminated against those of faith-based backgrounds in these schools”.

Mr Guy said the issue had “nothing to do with gender or sexuality” and denied any changes would give schools the right to fire LGBTIQ staff.

Mr Guy met with the Islamic Council of Victoria on Monday while pledging $4.5m for a new community hub.

ICV’s spokesman Adel Salman welcomed the move, saying it will “protect the ability of Islamic schools and other faith-based schools to uphold their religious ethos”.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said it was discriminatory to force religious schools to hire staff they don’t want. Picture: David Geraghty

Mark Spencer, director of public policy for Christian Schools Australia, said the community across Australia “overwhelmingly support religious bodies being able to hire staff who share their beliefs – which is what the Opposition affirmed today”.

“Christian schools welcome any changes that provide confidence and certainty for our communities and avoid the ‘lawyers picnic’ that the current laws create,” Mr Spencer said.

“Victorians want a fair go for all Victorians, and this includes allowing religious bodies to employ people of their religion.”

However, Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown slammed the Opposition for wanting to wind back the reforms.

“Last year’s landmark reforms brought Victoria into line with 21st century community expectations, ensuring that students would not be robbed of skilled teachers and the staff who make schools inclusive and welcoming spaces,” she said.

“These laws already allow faith-based schools to hire people who share their beliefs in positions where religion is essential to the role, and where it is reasonable and proportionate to do so.

“It is disappointing to see the Opposition Leader resorting to the same divisive and misleading politics that led to the downfall of the Morrison government.”