Family First pledges SA-based religious freedom laws
The revived Family First has pledged to introduce a South Australian-based Religious Freedom Bill if it gains a foothold in state parliament after next month’s election.
Former Labor minister Tom Kenyon is aiming to revive the Family First party in state parliament. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
The Morrison Government last week failed to pursue its bid to overhaul religious freedom laws in the senate, leaving the controversial legislation in indefinite limbo.
But the conservative Christian party – which is seeking a political comeback under its lead candidate Tom Kenyon, a former Labor Party minister – says bringing similar legislation into state parliament will be the first order of business “once elected at the March state election”.
“South Australians of faith must have their religious freedoms safeguarded as a matter of urgency,” he said in a statement.
“They cannot rely on the Liberal Party, which is hopelessly divided on commonsense issues of conscience and religious freedom.
“Neither can Labor be trusted, following its betrayal of undertakings to support religious freedom in Canberra last week.”
Last week’s attempted legislation proved deeply divisive as the Morrison Government sought to ban discrimination based on religious beliefs and activities, with some Government MPs joining Labor and crossbench members to seek protections for transgender students at church schools.
Kenyon said the “failure of both major parties to support religious freedom was a stark reminder that Christians, and all men and women of faith, must take direct action to safeguard their rights.”
“Voting for Family First at the state election in March is direct action that will make a difference,” he said.
“A Religious Freedom Bill will be the first move I take as a Family First MLC… and we will go further than the failed attempt by the Liberals.”
He said the rights “of religious organisations to practise their religion freely, and employ staff who hold the same values, need to be protected”.
“The Bill will not seek to change current protections to students from discrimination,” he said.
Kenyon highlighted the “heavy toll” for people who have declined COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds.
“People of good will can have different views on whether to take the vaccine – personally I am vaccinated and so is my family – but when governments punish good people because of their faith-based decision not to be vaccinated, then action must be taken,” he said.
