Finally, you’re exempt if you are a religion, registered charity, or not-for-profit organisation. This raises an important question - why should a secular country like Australia have some laws for religions and other laws for the rest of society? Why should charities have special status? And what is the difference between discrimination by a not-for-profit organisation and a business?
What difference would it make if we abolished all discrimination law that applies outside of government? Would there be a rush of businesses firing the black staff they secretly hate but they hired out of fear of discrimination law? And for how long would those businesses stay in business?
Why doesn’t discrimination law apply to other characteristics that a person can’t just choose to change, like being poor? Is an impoverished white man in less need of government intervention than a rich black woman?
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And isn’t there a danger in discrimination law applying to characteristics that a person can choose, such as their religion? We all discriminate on the basis of the choices people make, the way they conduct themselves and the company they keep. It’s how we decide who to associate with, and it’s a laudable trait.
Because I’m a rich white man, some say I shouldn’t have views on the topic of discrimination, let alone express them or vote in accordance with them in parliament. But they’ll still accept my vote to legalise same sex marriage. Funny that.
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