Election 2025: Religious leaders seek assurances from crossbench

Faith leaders are calling on independent MPs to provide assurance that they will stand up for religious freedom in a hung parliament.

Anglican Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead. Picture: John Feder

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Faith leaders are calling on independent MPs to provide assurance to Australians of faith that they will stand up for religious freedom in a hung parliament, criticising the teals for ignoring their concerns ahead of Saturday’s election.

An alliance of religious organisations wrote to independent MPs Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Zoe Daniel, Sophie Scamps and Helen Haines requesting they outline their stance on a future religious discrimination bill, anti-vilification laws and free speech.

Dr Haines was the only one of the community independents, who ran on a platform of accountability and integrity in politics, who replied, with the teals leaving the letter unanswered.

Anglican Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead, one co-signatory of the letters sent on March 20, said the crossbench could have a vital role in any bid to pass a religious discrimination bill in the next term of parliament.

“We were looking for an assurance from the crossbench that they would support legislation that would protect the rights of ­religious freedom in Australia, and we don’t feel like we have that assurance,” Dr Stead said.

Dr Haines in her letter of reply said she believed laws were needed to “protect Australians from discrimination based on their faith, or non-faith”.

Teals Zoe Daniel, left, Kate Chaney and Allegra Spender in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Indi MP vowed to “carefully scrutinise” any future religious freedom bills, adding that legislation must strike the right balance and ensure that “while protecting from discrimination based on faith, we don’t empower further discrimination”.

“It is important that when we create a shield from discrimin­ation on the basis of belief, we do not also create unnecessary swords,” Dr Haines said.

Dr Stead said Dr Haines’s letter did not “give us any confidence there is a commitment to protecting religious freedom”, and the lack of response from the teals had been “disappointing”.

“It seems the crossbench is going to be critical for any possibility of a religious discrimination bill moving forward; both major parties have indicated willingness to proceed with something to protect Australians against religious discrimination,” he said. “Getting the right balance is going to depend on the crossbench, therefore people really need to take that into account as they’re thinking about voting. What does this actually mean for the protection of religious freedom?”

Ms Spender said all Australians should be safe from discrimination, adding her position on this “issue has been on the record for some time”.

“Every Australian should be protected from discrimination, no matter their gender, sexuality or faith,” she said.

The letter, which was signed by leaders from the Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Hindu communities, put six questions to MPs, including if they would commit to ensuring that religious protections do not “go backwards” and protecting faith-based institutions such as schools. It also asked the independents’ views on anti-vilification provisions which crim­inalise actions that offend or insult, which could outlaw some religious teachings.

“There is a very real possibility that whichever party is successful this election will be governing from a minority position with the crossbench,” the letter said. “Given the important role you would play in that crossbench, we would like to know your positions in relation to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”