The union representing over 17,000 teachers and staff in Queensland non-government schools has called on Citipointe Christian College to meet its responsibilities under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act and ensure no student at the College is discriminated against on the basis of gender identity or sexuality.
Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) Branch Secretary Terry Burke echoed comments by the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall and called on the College not to use contracts to avoid their responsibilities under anti-discrimination law.
Mr Burke said the Act does not permit religious schools to refuse enrolment on the basis of gender identity or sexuality, or to discriminate against existing students on this basis.
"This means if the College were to expel, discipline or otherwise treat a student unfavourably because of these characteristics, this would be unlawful discrimination in Queensland," Mr Burke said.
"Trying to avoid anti-discrimination laws by asking parents and/or students to agree to discriminatory terms in a 'contract' is beyond shameful and rejected by our union.
"The IEU has long campaigned for anti-discrimination protections within legislation and has advocated
