Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697641520356.pdf (Australia)
SUBMISSION REGARDING INQUIRY INTO IMPACT OF REDEFINING MARRIAGE This submission is addressed to: Committee Secretary Select Committee on the Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill The submission addresses the Terms of Reference established by the Committee, with a particular focus on the following areas:   the proposed exemptions in the Exposure Draft for ministers of religion, marriage celebrants and religious bodies and organisations to refuse to conduct or solemnise marriages, and the extent to which those exemptions prevent encroachment upon religious freedoms: the nature and effect of the proposed amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984;  whether there should be any consequential amendments to this bill, or any other Act, and, if so, the nature and effect of those consequential amendments.
The submission therefore, maintains that: 1.

The Draft Marriage Amendment Bill unfairly singles out the rights and freedoms of a select community group above the rights and freedoms of all people in this nation.

Freedom of thought, speech, religion and other freedoms are universal human rights that apply to all people, not just ministers of religion or religious organisations.

They must be protected for everyone.

2.


The Draft Bill erroneously assumes that all objections to the redefinition of marriage are based on religious grounds.

That is just not the case.

There is societal concern that in addition to restricting and encroaching on its freedoms, there will certainly be accompanying changes to education, the de- gendering of society, the increased pressure for commercial surrogacy, and the list goes on.
Providing “exemptions” for religious beliefs will not address these concerns.

3.

The Draft Bill “frames” foundational human rights in the context of “exemptions” to Anti-Discrimination Laws.

When people exercise their right to respectfully voice genuine concerns or raise objections to things they consider harmful or detrimental to themselves or their communities, they are exercising a fundamental human right – not an “exemption” to anti-discrimination laws.
This basic, vital human right MUST at all costs be protected for everyone!

“Exemptions” to anti-discrimination laws were designed to produce the opposite outcome.

1.

The Commonwealth Government’s exposure draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) BillSubmission 243 4.

The proposed Amendment to the Marriage Act will add impetus to the Sex Discrimination Act and will inevitably trigger consequential changes to other Acts.
As has been demonstrated time and again in countries that have re-defined marriage laws, Sex Discrimination and other legislation has been amended and deployed to the effect that not only religious freedom and free speech face increasing restrictions, but ordinary people have lost their jobs, businesses, livelihoods and even faced jail time, simply for disagreeing with Marriage Re-Definition.

We must ensure that similar threats are not posed to the freedoms and beliefs of the Australian people.
If marriage is redefined, we will surrender many of our basic, fundamental freedoms.

This submission prepared by: Lidija Kerekes The Commonwealth Government’s exposure draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) BillSubmission 243