The politician pushing a controversial amendment to the state's Anti-Discrimination Act to cover religious vilification says he hopes to overturn the Premier's opposition to the change.
Premier Bob Carr has attacked the amendment to be introduced by independent MP Peter Breen, describing such legislation as "highly counter-productive' to preserving religious tolerance.
"I'm disappointed the Premier will not be supporting my private member's bill to protect minority religious groups from religious vilification," Mr Breen says.
Mr Breen has written to the Premier requesting a meeting to discuss the issue.
However he still intends on introducing the amendment regardless of the outcome.
"My bill is the next one in line and just because Mr Carr says he doesn’t support it doesn’t mean I won’t bring it forward," he says.
Mr Breen believes the current Anti-Discrimination Act needs to be amended to protect people whose religion isn't specific to an ethnic group.
But the chairman of the Sydney Diocese's Social Issues Executive, Dr Andrew Cameron, says the legislation is just as likely to limit legitimate disagreements over matters of faith.
"My understanding is that there is no explicit exception made for religious instruction," Dr Cameron says.
"The actual functioning of this law needs really serious scrutiny by the lawyers."
Premier Carr has told state parliament that he believes prominent religious leaders are now regretting the introduction of similar legislation in Victoria.
"I understand Anglican Archbishop [of Melbourne] Peter Watson has said the church did not look closely enough at the legislation when it was framed in 2001," Premier Carr says.
"And it did not want "the law of the land intruding into places where it has no proper role.'"
The Sydney Diocese's top legal advisor Robert Wicks says the Premier is right in rejecting the changes.
"We welcome the Premier's decision," he says.
"We think it’s very sensible and it will ensure robust debate on religious issues and a whole range of matters can continue."
