Foxy,

HREOC stands for Human Rights and Equal Opportunity.

Did you see mentioned in the accompanying blurb anything about Freedom ‘from’ Religion? If not, why not? Freedom ‘of’ Religion is only about the rights of the religious. I am not saying they do not need rights but those rights should be equal to the rights of everyone, not greater than.

And do you realise either three or four of the panellists have serious religious affiliations.

It may pay readers to investigate the AFA submission and those from other secular groups to get an idea on why the outcome of the Commission’s inquiry may not yield equality for all.

David

Dear David,

Oooops. No, I admit I didn't notice their
religious affiliations.

And that may place a different slant on
things altogether, as you suggest.

I'll have to go back and have a closer
look - and see whether there is any
kind of balance there. As well as
the backgrounds of all the panel
members.

Thanks.

Dear David,

I've spent ages scrawling the background of
Gary Bouma, Desmond Cahill, Tom Calma, and
Dr Hass Dellal.

I've read the articles by Gary Bouma on
Online Opinion, (a few years back), and I have
to admit that his being pro - legal
action for 'vilification,' is causing me
some unease. I'd have to know
more about his convictions in this area.

Tom Calma, is another one whose stands on certain
issues don't sit too well with me.
He's another question mark.

Desmond Cahill and Dr Hass Dellal seem very qalified.
So, perhaps two out of two - balances out?

Anyway, I think I'll wait until the final report
comes out in 2010, before I say any more.
I don't want to pre-judge things ahead of time.

In reference to HREOC... I thought they were
re-named the Australian Human Rights Commission
in 2003?

Foxy,

Here is a little more information about Desmond Cahill and Dr Hass Dellal.

"Desmond Cahill, Professor of Intercultural Studies at RMIT University, is one of Australia’s leading social researchers. In 2006, he was made an honorary fellow of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders for his work in immigrant, cross-cultural, interfaith and international education. He currently chairs the Religions for Peace (Australia), and represents Australia on the Asian Conference of Religion and Peace (ACRP). He led Melbourne’s successful bid to stage the forthcoming Parliament of the World’s Religions, the world’s largest interfaith gathering, and is now its honorary Program Director. He is a member of APRO and of the Victoria Police Multifaith Advisory Council." http://www.hreoc.gov.au/frb/frb_2008.html

"Dr Hass Dellal was appointed Executive Director of the AMF (Australian Multi-faith Organisation) in 1989, an organisation established to promote a strong commitment to Australia as one people drawn from many cultures. Dr Dellal has had extensive experience throughout Australia and internationally on multicultural affairs. He serves on a number of committees and boards and has prepared numerous reports, programs and conferences that deal in community relations, community capacity building, business, polices relations, youth issues, access and equity, cultural and religious diversity, skill recognition, cross cultural training, second language development, philanthropy, and the arts as well as research for policy development on behalf of government, community and private sector." http://www.australiaday.vic.gov.au/events_ambassadors_details.asp?view=377

Now the question jumping off the page, is where are the secular panellists to make for fairness?

This combination does not bode well for a just outcome for all Australians.

David

Polycarp,
I am quoting verbatim from Fair play and civility in interreligious relations by Gary Bouma posted on this forum 21/01/05:
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=2932
I find it disturbing that the person responsible for the above article will have significant input into laws governing the rest of us into perpetuity.

Bronwyn,
Vilification: To belittle through speech; to put down
source: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vilify
You have called me a fear-mongerer, disingenuous, an hysterical overstater and a henny penny ranter. I’m coming over to your side. Perhaps we do need laws to enforce civil discourse.

Foxy,

I have made a mistake.

"Dr Hass Dellal was appointed Executive Director of the AMF (Australian Multi-faith Organisation) in 1989."

I inserted (Australian Multi-faith Organisation) for ease of understanding the AMF acronym as I assumed that is what it stood for. It should read (Australian Multicultural Organisation)

My sincere apologies for misleading you and other readers. At this stage, Dr Hass Dellaj’s religious affiliation or not is unknown to me.

David