Recommendation 140
• Department of Home Affairs
• Department of Social Services
• States and territories
All Australians are free to choose their religion. The Australian Government is committed to protecting the right of all people to express and practise their religion without intimidation, interference or harassment, provided those practices are within the framework of Australian law.
On 22 November 2017, the former Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, announced the appointment of the Hon Philip Ruddock to examine whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to freedom of religion. Mr Ruddock has recently served as Australia's Special Envoy for Human Rights, and previously held the positions of Commonwealth Attorney‑General and Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Mr Ruddock was assisted by an expert panel consisting of the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, retired Federal Court of Australia Judge and Chancellor of Bond University, the Hon Annabelle Bennett AO SC, and Jesuit Priest and Catholic Services Australia CEO, Father Frank Brennan SJ AO. The expert panel reported its finding to the Prime Minister on 18 May 2018. The Australian Government is considering the expert panel's findings.
On 29 November 2016, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, asked JSCFADT to inquire into and report on the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief. The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquiry is looking more broadly into freedom of religion around the world, including Australia. The inquiry is ongoing.
For information on state and territory policies and programmes related to social cohesion and multiculturalism, visit:
- Australian Capital Territory – Community Services ACT
- New South Wales – Multicultural NSW
- Northern Territory – Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Queensland – Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
- South Australia – Multicultural SA
- Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet - Communities, Sport and Recreation
- Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet - Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion Division
- Western Australia – Office of Multicultural Interests