Privileging prejudice: the threat and opportunity posed by the movement for 'religious freedom'

This is what religious freedom warriors have spent years campaigning for.

It will potentially override state laws that protect LGBTI people from discrimination and vilification.

It will be a stepping stone to the High Court for all those zealots who want the Bible to again be a cornerstone of Australian public policy.

Tasmania has most to lose

This is where it gets close to home for me.

Remember what I said about Robin Gray and the movement to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania?

Since then, Tasmania has adopted the most progressive LGBTI human rights laws in the nation and the world.

Alone in Australia, our Anti-Discrimination Act prevents discrimination against LGBTI people by faith-based organisations including faith-based schools, hospitals and charities.

Alone in Australia, our Anti-Discrimination Act prevents hate speech even when it is perpetrated in the name of religion.

We have Australia's strongest laws officially recognising the gender identity of transgender and gender diverse people and protecting them from discrimination and hate speech.

Several times the religious right has tried and failed to have these laws watered down by the state parliament.

Now it is pinning its hopes on federal legislation.