Yesterday the Attorney-General, Christian Porter, stated he would expand the scope of the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill to allow faith-based hospital and aged care providers make discriminatory employment decisions based on religion.
Speaking on ABC’s Radio National Drive Program yesterday HSU National Secretary, Lloyd Williams, declared that “no human right is more important than any other human right” and that “all people deserve safe, healthy and respectful workplaces and access to healthcare, regardless of their personal attributes.”
The HSU is strongly of the position that people should not be discriminated against on the grounds of their religious beliefs, at work or anywhere else.
The proposed provisions in the Bill will cause significant confusion for already overworked and busy healthcare workers and interfere with carefully drafted State and Territory laws, which already deal effectively with conscientious objections.
It will mean that workers and health service providers may be required to juggle complex and competing legal obligations when under pressure to provide vital health services.
HSU commends Commonwealth aged care submission
The HSU has commended the Commonwealth Government for formally supporting its application to lift wages in the sector by today making a submission to the case.
Solid foundations laid for aged care reform
The Health Services Union welcomes Minister Anika Wells’ introduction of two aged care bills that represent an important step forward after nine years of abject neglect.
HSU calls for Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments to continue
The decision to stop the payments will hurt essential and low paid health, aged care and disability workers.