“Citipointe College is a taste of what Tasmania will become under the Religious Discrimination Bill, and that taste is very bitter for vulnerable LGBTIQ+ students.” – Rodney Croome 

Equality Tasmania has warned that Tasmanian faith-based schools could follow the lead of Brisbane’s Citipointe College, and overtly discriminate against LGBTIQ+ students, if the proposed federal Religious Discrimination Bill passes. 

Last week Citipointe Christian College announced that parents must sign a contract with the school that effectively eliminates same-sex attracted and gender diverse students from the school’s care and support. 

Equality Tasmania says the College’s “parental contract” would be contrary to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act, as well as state and federal youth suicide prevention programs. 

However, spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the federal government’s Religious Discrimination Bill’s provisions allowing discrimination in the name of religion are so wide they could effectively nullify existing Tasmanian protections and give faith-based schools a green light to discriminate. 

“If the Religious Discrimination Bill passes, more and more faith-based schools will follow the lead of Citipointe College by overtly discriminating against LGBTIQ+ students.” “The religious exemptions in the Federal Bill are so wide they will effectively nullify Tasmanian discrimination protections that have been in place for a quarter of a century and have fostered more inclusive faith-based schools for LGBTIQ+ students.”  

“Citipointe College is a taste of what Tasmania will become under the Religious Discrimination Bill, and that taste is very bitter for vulnerable LGBTIQ+ students.” 

In 2018, a YouGov Galaxy poll found that 78% of Australians believed that religious schools should not be entitled to taxpayer funding if they discriminate against LGBTiQ+ teachers and students.    

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.