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ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2018

Review of religious freedom

Carroll & O'Dea
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Panel appointed to address the human right of freedom of religion in light of the yes vote for same sex marriage. .

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Josephine Heesh
Josephine Heesh
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61.6% of Australians who voted in the same-sex marriage survey voted 'yes'. In the pre-vote period many commentators expressed concerns that the legislation, if passed, would go beyond the immediate bounds of marriage and they questioned the competency of Australian law to adequately protect the human right of freedom of religion.

In response to these concerns, the Prime Minister has appointed an expert panel, chaired by the Hon Phillip Ruddock to perform a Religious Freedom Review. The expert panel comprises the president of the Human Rights Commission Rosalind Croucher, Australian Jesuit Priest and human rights lawyer Fr Frank Brennan, former Federal Court Judge Annabelle Bennett, and Professor Nicholas Aroney.

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