Why doesn’t Australia have these services in place? Why privatise them Jay?

Since there is a mix of religions wouldn’t it make more sense to have state run facilities that accept all faiths as well as those that have none?

We can add up stats but we have a harder time adding up the damage done to individuals by systems that discriminate. Isn’t this why we make laws that cover even the smallest groups in society?

I’m not sure what adoption risks you refer to Bazz, I’m unsure what research has been done and if there are greater risks to children being raised by same sex couples.

With a lot of attention at the moment being on the Royal Commission in Response to Child Sexual Abuse aren’t we looking at a bigger risk by placing children in the arms of church run services? If we can’t and couldn’t save children the public placed in their care I think giving them more power to treat people any way they want is not sending the best message.

Jay:” The "New Australia" of the mid 21st century will be built upon a reactionary substrate, reactionary being the absolute polar opposite of "progressive".”

Sorry Jay, the above I need to go google for awhile unless you can explain it to me

Runner I shake my head to think your brand of extremism hides behind Christianity.
One seems to reserve the right to employ homosexuals and pedophiles.
Raw and rude?
Yes in all probability but watch this Royal Commission then answer'
I think harsh words in this case may bring about the needed result, ending forever this practice.
You, every boss, can pick who you want.
It is not hard interview every one.
Then pick the one you want, and who fits you brand of requirements.

Pied Piper.
What I'm saying is that due to demographic and ethnic reorganisation the underlying ethos of post millenium Australia will be reactionary or fundamentalist as opposed to materialist "progression", I can't make it any clearer than that.

Dear Runner,

<<Yeah lets just take taxes from Christians and fund killing babies, promoting porn and saving the whale. Nothing like hypocrisy.>>

You must admit that it's a far better deal than what Christians got under the Romans, Muslims and Communists. The world has changed in the last century and is now controlled by secular people, so take what you've got and let Caesar have his tainted coin, thanking God for our good fortune that we can still freely serve God, that we don't have to sneak into caves in the middle of the night to pray or be tortured and taken to a concentration camp for having a bible - as is the case in North Korea.

If you want to minimise taxes, then the best way is to live as a true Christian - serve your fellow freely without asking for Caesar's money in return, then pray for your daily bread and others may serve you in turn. With no money exchanged there will be no taxes, so none of your efforts will go towards morally reprehensible actions.

May God bless you in this hard but worthy path!

---
On the topic itself, I can only support Pied Piper saying:

>>My opinion is that they should have the right to hire who they want, absolutely. But let’s not give those organisations any public money or public clients and contracts.<<

Applying the same to everyone, not only to religion-promoting bodies.

"My opinion is that they should have the right to hire who they want, absolutely. But let’s not give those organisations any public money or public clients and contracts"

Does that also apply to affirmative action? Thinking in particular of of the government as an employer. But also its initiatives to lean on private employers to achieve affirmative action goals. Membership of Company Boards is topical.

Jay:”due to demographic and ethnic reorganisation the underlying ethos of post millenium Australia will be reactionary or fundamentalist as opposed to materialist "progression…”

[gulp]

Isn’t the timing weird, initiate a Royal Commission into abuses by the religious (covers state institutions as well but the churches kicked this one off) then offer them more power a few days later. Mr Opinions thread is starting to make sense to me on one paranoid level.

OTB I believe it should apply to everyone, no public contracts for services to the flora, fauna and peoples of and on Australia to be dished out to those that do not have to follow the same rules as a govt employer. Affirmative action hasn’t made a lot of sense to me.