Submission in response to Religious Discrimination Bill 2021

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RE: Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia (the Society) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee.

The Society is a lay Catholic charitable organisation that comprises over 60,000 members and volunteers and over 3,000 employees. The Society has operated in Australia for almost 170 years, providing on the ground assistance in the form of emergency relief and accommodation, community housing and other support services to individuals and families. 

In any given year, the Society distributes around $32 million to help people meet their basic needs such as food, utilities, accommodation, transport, medical and educational costs. This is in addition to the assistance provided through Vinnies vans, shops and emergency, transitional and community housing services. 

The Society’s approach is one of inclusivity and we welcome the diversity that is reflected across our Australian communities. 

We welcome and help all in need and do not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation. 

The Society’s aim is to empower people, to help them achieve their full potential. This is not done by shunning or shaming them.

We are committed to respecting the human dignity of every person and to respecting them for who they are. We care for the most vulnerable in our community by providing them a hand up. 

We want to acknowledge that the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 (the Bill) and subsequent debate may cause hurt to those we assist, as well as to some of our members, volunteers, and staff. 

We regret this but want to reassure all of our commitment to inclusiveness.