Download Word 
Download PDF Bill home page
Table Of Contents
Next Fragment
-
Bill
- Part 1—Preliminary
- Part 2—Conduct etc. that is not discrimination
- Part 3—Concept of discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity
- Part 4—Unlawful discrimination
- Part 5—Offences
- Part 6—Religious Discrimination Commissioner
- Part 7—Functions of the Australian Human Rights Commission
- Part 8—Application and constitutional provisions
- Part 9—Other matters
2019-2020-2021
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
Presented and read a first time
Religious Discrimination Bill 2021
No. , 2021
(Attorney-General)
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................ 1
2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2
3............ Objects of this Act.............................................................................. 2
4............ Simplified outline of this Act............................................................. 3
5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 4
6............ Extended meaning of ground ............................................................. 9
Part 2—Conduct etc. that is not discrimination 10
7............ Religious bodies may generally act in accordance with their faith etc. 10
8............ Certain conduct by religious hospitals, aged care facilities, accommodation providers and disability service providers that is not covered by section 7........................................ 11
9............ Areas of public life in which the conduct of religious hospitals, aged care facilities, accommodation providers and disability service providers is not discrimination...................... 12
10.......... Reasonable conduct intended to meet a need or reduce a disadvantage 15
11.......... Conduct in relation to employment by religious educational institutions—overriding certain State and Territory laws................................................................................... 15
12.......... Statements of belief.......................................................................... 16
Part 3—Concept of discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity 18
13.......... Discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity—direct discrimination 18
14.......... Discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity—indirect discrimination 18
15.......... Discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity—qualifying body conduct rules 19
16.......... Discrimination extends to persons associated with individuals who hold or engage in a religious belief or activity.............................................................................................. 20
17.......... Conduct engaged in for 2 or more reasons....................................... 21
Part 4—Unlawful discrimination 22
Division 1—Introduction 22
18.......... Introduction...................................................................................... 22
Division 2—Discrimination in work 23
19.......... Employment..................................................................................... 23
20.......... Partnerships...................................................................................... 23
21.......... Qualifying bodies............................................................................. 24
22.......... Registered organisations................................................................... 25
23.......... Employment agencies....................................................................... 25
Division 3—Discrimination in other areas 27
24.......... Education.......................................................................................... 27
25.......... Access to premises........................................................................... 27
26.......... Goods, services and facilities........................................................... 28
27.......... Accommodation............................................................................... 28
28.......... Land.................................................................................................. 29
29.......... Sport................................................................................................. 29
30.......... Clubs................................................................................................. 29
31.......... Requesting or requiring information................................................ 30
32.......... Commonwealth laws and programs................................................. 30
33.......... Victimisation.................................................................................... 31
Division 4—Exceptions and exemptions 33
Subdivision A—Introduction 33
34.......... Certain conduct by religious bodies is not covered by this Division 33
Subdivision B—General exceptions 33
35.......... Counselling, promoting etc. a serious offence................................. 33
36.......... Conferring charitable benefits.......................................................... 33
37.......... Conduct in direct compliance with certain legislation etc............... 34
38.......... Orders, determinations and industrial instruments........................... 35
Subdivision C—Specific exceptions relating to particular areas of public life 36
39.......... Exceptions relating to work.............................................................. 36
40.......... Exceptions relating to accommodation and facilities....................... 37
41.......... Exception for disposal of land.......................................................... 39
42.......... Exception relating to clubs............................................................... 39
43.......... Exception relating to voluntary bodies............................................. 39
Subdivision D—Exemptions granted by the Commission 39
44.......... Commission may grant exemptions................................................. 39
45.......... Applying for an exemption............................................................... 40
46.......... Effect of exemptions........................................................................ 40
47.......... Variation and revocation of exemptions.......................................... 40
48.......... Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal................................... 41
Part 5—Offences 42
49.......... Unlawful conduct is not an offence unless expressly provided....... 42
50.......... Victimisation.................................................................................... 42
51.......... Advertisements................................................................................. 44
Part 6—Religious Discrimination Commissioner 45
52.......... Religious Discrimination Commissioner......................................... 45
53.......... Term of appointment........................................................................ 45
54.......... Remuneration of Commissioner....................................................... 45
55.......... Leave of absence.............................................................................. 46
56.......... Outside employment......................................................................... 46
57.......... Other terms and conditions of appointment..................................... 46
58.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 46
59.......... Termination...................................................................................... 47
60.......... Acting Commissioner....................................................................... 48
Part 7—Functions of the Australian Human Rights Commission 49
61.......... Functions of the Commission........................................................... 49
Part 8—Application and constitutional provisions 51
62.......... This Act binds the Crown................................................................. 51
63.......... Geographical application of this Act................................................ 51
64.......... Constitutional basis of this Act........................................................ 51
65.......... Additional operation of this Act....................................................... 52
66.......... Limited application provisions......................................................... 55
67.......... Compensation for acquisition of property........................................ 55
68.......... Relationship with State and Territory laws...................................... 56
Part 9—Other matters 57
69.......... Delegation........................................................................................ 57
70.......... Liability of persons involved in unlawful conduct........................... 57
71.......... Conduct by representatives.............................................................. 58
72.......... Protection from civil actions............................................................ 59
73.......... No right of action unless expressly provided................................... 59
74.......... Non-disclosure of protected information......................................... 60
75.......... Commissioner to give information to the Commission.................... 61
76.......... Review of operation of Act.............................................................. 61
77.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 61
A Bill for an Act relating to discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts: