Bid to overturn NSW Anti-Discrimination exemptions

Some faith-based schools in NSW, including Catholic schools, are opposing a bid to overturn exemptions to the Anti-Discrimination Act that allow them to exclude gay students.

Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich will soon introduce a private member's bill to State Parliament to abolish the law, which he says could be used against highly vulnerable teenagers, the Sydney Morning Herald.

'It is already so hard to come to grips with your sexuality,' said Mr Greenwich, who is gay.
'If students do reach out to a teacher they believe is supportive or a headmaster or counsellor or school chaplain, they could risk expulsion from a school.'

Under the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, it is unlawful for education authorities to refuse admission to, or expel, a student for being gay, lesbian or transgender, the Sun-Herald says, but private schools and colleges are explicitly exempt from this law.

Ian Baker, acting executive director of the NSW Catholic Education Commission, told the paper that the fact that so few, if any, cases of students being expelled were widely known was testament to the fact schools tended to treat such students with sensitivity.

'It speaks for itself,' he said. 'It's exercised with great caution and consideration. The objective is not to punish, but to protect the rights of those families who send their child to a school based on a religious faith.

'We couldn't agree to the exemptions being removed unless we could be assured that there's an alternative way of guaranteeing freedom of religion, which is an internationally recognised human right.'