21.03.2024
The Australian Law Reform Commission (‘ALRC’) report, Maximising the Realisation of Human Rights: Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws (ALRC Report 142), was tabled in Parliament by the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC on 21 March 2024.
The Terms of Reference for this inquiry tasked the ALRC with recommending the legislative reforms required to ensure that the government’s policy when enacted as law, will be consistent with Australia’s international legal obligations. The ALRC conducted over 130 consultations and received over 400 submissions and 40,000 survey responses.
The implementation of the government’s policy in accordance with the ALRC’s recommended reforms will:
- substantially narrow the circumstances in which discrimination by religious educational institutions of their students and staff is permissible at law.
- maximise the enjoyment of human rights and appropriately manage the intersection of rights.
- ensure any restriction of rights is justifiable under international law.
- make federal law more consistent with state and territory laws and the law in comparable overseas jurisdiction.
Download the Final Report.
Download the Summary Report.
Download Consultation Paper.
Download Inquiry Background Papers: