Australia: draft religious discrimination bill is opened to public consultation

On 29 August, Australian Attorney General Christian Porter published a proposal for draft legislation that bans religious discrimination, and presented it as a shield protecting citizens who express their faith or exercise religious practice. The text in particular intends to address both direct and indirect religious discrimination and includes some exceptions for businesses able to prove that otherwise “unjustifiable financial hardship to the business” would ensue.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

The text proposes that the notion of religious discrimination can be invoked when unfavorable treatment based on religious belief and practice is observed, and especially in terms of hiring and working conditions.

Discrimination is considered to be direct if the decision is based on a religious criterion. Discrimination can also be considered to be indirect if what is an apparently neutral rule or condition actually unfavorably treats people sharing religious characteristics. Discrimination repo

…
Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Bulgaria: new minimum wage-setting mechanism implemented under European directive
The news. On 25 September, Bulgarian MPs adopted on second reading amendments to the Labour Code setting up a new mechanism for determining the minimum wage. This will now take into account...
28 September 2026
Austria: metallurgy confirms its 2025‑2026 crisis agreement with a moderate pay rise
The news. The social partners in the Austrian metallurgy sector signed a two-year crisis agreement in 2025. This provided for a mid-term review of the situation. This was carried out on 22...
28 September 2026
France: Bayer puts female health and inclusive parenthood at the centre of its equality policy
In a new agreement on gender equality highlighted by mind RH, Bayer commits to strengthening its parenthood policy. Furthermore, the company is anticipating pay transparency and introducing...
25 September 2026
UK: Government introduces unpaid bereavement leave following a miscarriage
The news. On 22 September, the UK government confirmed the introduction of up to two weeks of unpaid leave in the event of pregnancy loss before the 24th week, in its response to the open...
25 September 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Import bans on forced labor products are multiplying
Under pressure from new US tariffs, many countries have presented texts in recent weeks to ban the import of products made with forced labor. A real breakthrough for workers' rights or a mere...
9 September 2026
2
Germany: a “simplification” proposal for the Corporate Governance Code
In early August, the Government Commission presented proposals to reform the Deutscher Corporate Governance Kodex (DCGK), Germany’s Corporate Governance Code. The proposals are primarily aimed at...
31 August 2026
3
France: EDF served formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations
The news. On 23 September, Greenpeace France announced that it had served EDF with a formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations due to the risks of harm...
24 September 2026
4
Slovakia: a bill to “clarify” personal data protection measures
The news. The Slovak government approved a bill on personal data protection on August 26, 2026. This text aims to clarify existing regulations regarding employees’ rights and...
7 September 2026