NSW government to establish ‘milestone’ advisory faith council in bridge to religious leaders

NSW religious leaders will use a voice-like, ‘milestone’ council to push their own voices to Premier Chris Minns and his government’s faith-based policy program.

Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s southwest. Picture: Christian Gilles

Religious leaders will use a “milestone” faith council to push NSW Premier Chris Minns for stronger protections for religious freedom, amendments to voluntary assisted dying laws and better outcomes for their communities.

The 16-member NSW Faith Affairs Council, will be the most influential in state history and will directly advise Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper on faith-based matters, programs and policy.

It comes as faith leaders across the country claim they have been marginalised by other Labor state governments from the running of religious schools and hospitals to anti-discrimination laws for gay and trans people.

They have also expressed concerns over upcoming bills in the NSW parliament, such as one requiring religious-run aged-care homes to allow voluntary assisted dying on the premises.

Mr Kamper said although purely advisory, the new council showed the government’s commitment to “harmony” and “collaboration”.

“The Faith Affairs Council is nation-leading, it is a unique opportunity for us to work collaboratively with multi-faith groups to promote harmony across communities,” he said.

The government would not be obliged to consult it on every matter but Mr Kamper stressed it would help “deliver better government for multi-faith communities” and, with funding already confirmed through Multicultural NSW’s budget, makes good on an election promise.

The council will report to NSW Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper, who committed to such a body during the election. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“NSW is at its best when we are all working together towards the same goal,” Mr Kamper said.

“This council will allow for greater collaboration and would also help the government to deliver better support in times of need.”

The Minns government in August introduced and passed the Religious Vilification Bill, which made it unlawful to “incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person because of their religious belief, affiliation or activity”.

A Multicultural NSW spokesman said the council would act as a “formal consultative mechanism” for the government.

It would also assist on faith-based program delivery across the state’s religious communities – ranging from community events to crisis response – in what the state government hopes will result in closer ties with faith groups.

St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. Picture: Seb Haggett

Sydney-based imam Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman said it was a “milestone”.

“It’s a great stepping stone and first of its kind in Australia,” Mr Alsuleiman said.

Mr Alsuleiman said he hoped the council would increase engagement with faith communities to consider their views on things such as religious freedom.

“We would like to see more engagement (with faith communities) in policies pertaining to religious discrimination, vilification and freedom,” he said.

“It’s these sorts of issues we want to have avenues for our voices.”

He also said “perceived barriers” between faiths were often exaggerated, and a council could help produce better outcomes for all the state’s faiths, not just one.

Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman.

Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney engagement director Monica Doumit said it would be a “positive contributor” to religious communities but also the state at large.

“We’ve seen legislation in recent years that’s directly impacted religious freedoms,” she said.

“There’s a lot that unites differing faiths and groups, and this will allow us to come together with the government, in the spirit of goodwill, in the hope of providing solutions.”

Ms Doumit said there were real concerns among faith groups with conversion practice legislation and the upcoming implementation of voluntary assisted dying, and a council would help provide feedback directly to the government.

“These (reforms) directly impact religious communities and institutions,” she said.

“There’s a huge concern when voluntary assisted dying begins in November, for example, where religious aged-care facilities must allow it on site.”

The nomination process for the Faith Affairs Council closes in late September and the body will be established soon after.