Advocates call for immediate release of Ruddock Report

Rainbow ChurchLGBTI advocacy group, just.equal, has called on the Federal Government to release the Ruddock religious freedom report immediately.

“The recommendations of the Ruddock Review will have a direct and possibly damaging impact on the LGBTI community, so it is vital the results are released immediately,” said Spokesperson, Rodney Croome. “The devil will be in the detail and we deserve to see that detail straight away.”

“The Ruddock Review has operated under a cloud of alleged secrecy and bias so the least the Government can do is be honest and upfront now the Review’s work is done.”

Mr Croome welcomed news reports that the Review has recommended laws preventing religious discrimination, but said this should not extend to allowing discrimination in the name of religion. “Protecting people of faith from discrimination is important, but we will strongly oppose any move to allow discrimination in the name of religion,” he said.

The expert panel on religious freedom established in the wake of marriage equality and chaired by NSW Liberal Party President, Philip Ruddock, hands its report to the Prime Minister today, but it is not expected to be officially released for two weeks.

Earlier this week just.equal released a You Gov poll that found 7 out of 10 Australians oppose new laws allowing discrimination against same-sex couples in the name of religion.