Religious freedoms wiped out by Christmas, Lyle Shelton says

Lyle Shelton says the freedom of speech of five million Australians is “about to be wiped out before Christmas”.

Philip Ruddock will assess the religious protection laws. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Lyle Shelton has slammed the Turnbull government’s appointment of Liberal Party elder Philip Ruddock to assess Australia’s religious protections, declaring that the freedom of speech of five million Australians is “about to be wiped out before Christmas”.

Mr Ruddock, who served as John Howard’s immigration minister and was most recently Australia’s Special Envoy for Human Rights, will report back by the end of March.

His investigation comes amid concerns raised by conservative MPs over the impact they believe the legalisation of same-sex marriage may have on religious freedoms.

Mr Ruddock will be assisted by a panel of experts including Australian Human Rights Commission President Rosalind Croucher, retired Federal Court judge Annabelle Bennett, and Jesuit priest Father Frank Brennan.

Mr Shelton has been joined in his criticism of the move by Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi, who said it was “putting the cart before the horse”.

“By acknowledging there are concerns about religious freedoms through the establishment of this panel, it makes a mockery of their decision to legislate redefining marriage ahead of having those protections in place,” Senator Bernardi said.

The former Liberal was also critical of the composition of the panel.

“Without pre-empting anything I’m always concerned when the deck looks stacked, but I regret the government doesn’t seem to listen to common sense any more,” Senator Bernardi said.

Conservative Turnbull government ministers including Scott Morrison and Alex Hawke have publicly supported Mr Ruddock’s investigation, but Mr Shelton accused the Liberal Party of taking its cues from the “hard Green Left”, not former prime minister John Howard and his deputy John Anderson.

“When the freedom of speech of 5 million Australians is about to be wiped out before Christmas, this is the govt’s response,” the Australian Christian Lobby head tweeted.

“Sadly the new civic totalism can’t even be resisted by @LiberalAus.”

When the freedom of speech of 5 million Australians is about to be wiped out before Christmas, this is the Govt’s response. Sadly the new 🏳️‍🌈 civic totalism can’t even be resisted by @LiberalAus. https://t.co/c811zBmJQG

— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) November 22, 2017

Mr Shelton issued a press release this afternoon on behalf of the Coalition for Marriage, accusing the Turnbull government of failing to consult the relevant stakeholders.

“It is hard to view this inquiry as anything other than a thought-bubble, designed to solve a political problem for the Prime Minister,” Mr Shelton said.

“Religious freedoms were central in the debate that occurred throughout the plebiscite campaign. Nearly 5 million Australians voted against changing the Marriage Act. They did so out of a concern for their freedoms.

“Now the Prime Minister has said those freedoms need to wait.

“This is not good enough, especially when the Prime Minister himself told the Australian people during the campaign that they should not be concerned, because any bill to change the Marriage Act would include strong protections for religious freedoms.

“Treasurer Scott Morrison is right. This inquiry should not stand in the way of amendments protecting religious freedom being debated and supported by the parliament at the same time as the Marriage Act is amended.”

Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz said protection of religious freedoms was vital.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement today of a review of religious freedoms in Australia is welcome and it is worthwhile to have a broader look at this issue but, as Scott Morrison has said, this should be a separate issue to the Bill currently before the parliament,” Senator Abetz said.

‘Labor will be highly constructive’

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Malcolm Turnbull had been facing a revolt from those in the conservative Right of his party, who were unhappy with the results of the same-sex marriage survey, which saw 7.8 million, or 61.6 per cent of Australians vote Yes, and 4.9 million, or 38.4 per cent of Australians vote No.

“I think it’s important to keep the religious freedoms,” Mr Shorten said.

“But the way to do it is not to delay marriage equality. Let’s get on with it. Let’s get this done.

“In terms of Mr Ruddock and others having an inquiry, we’ll have a look at the detail of it.

“We’re not automatically against that, but one thing’s for sure, we’re not interested in delaying tactics and continuing discrimination.

“If there’s a way we can deal with legitimate concerns about religious freedoms, Labor will be highly constructive.”

Morrison welcomes probe

Mr Morrison, who voted against same-sex marriage in the Turnbull government’s postal survey, said Mr Ruddock’s investigation was not a substitute for dealing with amendments to the same-sex marriage bill in parliament, and individual members of parliament would still pursue amendments to the same-sex marriage bill with the aim of providing religious protections.

“As you know I have a view that they should be supported,” the Treasurer told ABC radio.

“What this does I think is says to 4.9 million Australians who had a different view, and I think to many more Australians who also believe religious protections need to be looked after, that we will do a thorough review of this, and Philip Ruddock I think is exactly the right person to lead it.

“He is well respected in Australia’s religious and ethnic communities, he understands what the fears and anxieties are, he’s a great listener about what those anxieties and fears are, and where there are deficiencies in our law, or where he can actually provide assurances that our laws are providing these protections, I think that will be of great comfort and great assistance, so I think this is a positive move.

“It doesn’t replace what many of us believe we need to do in the Senate and the House now, but you’ve got to be careful about making changes that obviously you don’t have any unintended consequences. I’m for religious freedoms, not for religious extremism.”

Freedom of religion ‘an important right’: Ruddock

Mr Ruddock, who is currently Mayor of Hornsby in Sydney’s north, said he believed the right to freedom of religion was a very important right.

“How we manage that within the context of difficult human rights obligations which can sometimes be formalise indeed a way which takes it beyond the power of the parliament, you need to get the balance right,” he told the Nine Network.

“I have had a good deal of contact over time with people from quite diverse groups. I certainly know a lot of the Christian leadership. I know many in the Islamic community. I’m very much focused on the Hindus and the Buddhists and I know most of the people who are involved in those religions as well. I hope I can talk to them about the way forward and engage them in a positive way.

“We have had a result as a result of the plebiscite. That will move forward, and it’s a question of how you secure and balance freedom of religion and I don’t think that’s a difficult issue to talk to people about in the Liberal Party any more than I think it’s a difficult issue to talk to with religious leaders an others.”

Concern over ‘bill or rights-style declarations’: PM

Mr Turnbull said the impending legalisation of same-sex marriage had seen a variety of proposals for legislative reform to protect freedom of religion.

“Many of these proposals go beyond the immediate issue of marriage,” the Prime Minister said.

“Any reforms to protect religious freedom at large should be undertaken carefully.

“There is a high risk of unintended consequences when parliament attempts to legislate protections for basic rights and freedoms, such as freedom of religion.

“The government is particularly concerned to prevent uncertainties caused by generally worded Bill of Rights-style declarations.”

Mr Turnbull said Mr Ruddock’s investigation would be a “timely expert stocktake” to inform consideration of any necessary legislative reforms.

“Philip Ruddock is the right person to conduct this review,” he said.

“In his many years in public life he has maintained a steadfast commitment to cultural and religious diversity in this country.”