Fast-track religious freedom, Israel Folau urges

After winning a settlement from Rugby Australia, Israel Folau has pushed the federal government to strengthen religious freedom.

Former Wallabies star Israel Folau. Picture: AAP

After winning a settlement from Rugby Australia, sacked footballer Israel Folau has stepped up pressure on the federal government to strengthen religious freedom.

Folau, who had been seeking damages of $14m, said his legal action against RA had been launched on behalf of “all people of faith to protect their rights of freedom of speech and religion”.

“We now look forward to the federal government enacting the legislation necessary to further protect and strengthen these rights for all Australians,” he said in a video posted on Youtube.

The settlement of his civil claim means RA will never be required to expand on documents it filed in court that dispute Folau’s claim that the common law of Australia prohibits contracts that restrict a person from manifesting their religion.

According to RA’s court documents, if the law accepted Folau’s argument in favour of manifesting religion it would amount to a “radical” change.

The settlement comes soon after Scott Morrison revealed the government will delay the introduction of its religious discrimination legislation until the new year.

Attorney-General Christian Porter has rejected concerns from business that the draft bill includes a “Folau clause”.

It would prevent big companies from sacking employees for sharing controversial religious views outside work unless they can prove this was necessary to avoid what the bill refers to as unjustifiable financial hardship. However, that provision has caused unease among some religious groups who believe it needs to be reworked.

The settlement comes soon after a poll revealed 80 per cent of Australians believe respecting religion is “important in a multicultural society”.

The poll, commissioned by the Centre for Independent Studies, was conducted by YouGov Galaxy and found 64 per cent of respondents did not support organisations being permitted to refuse employment on religious grounds.

The CIS issued a report urging the government to change its draft religious discrimination bill including addressing the provision that would allow an employee to be disciplined or fired if an employer can prove unjustifiable financial hardship.

That report also recommends the government’s scheme should better define “vilification” to make it clear this term refers to “speech that incites or threatens violence”.