The Brethren's exclusive deals
On first glimpse I was disturbed at Labour's apparent retaliation against the Exclusive Brethren, threatening to remove their exemption from union visiting rights to Brethren-owned businesses. It looked over the top.
But news like this out of Australia has made me think again:
The Brethren are coming under increased scrutiny in Australia as well as here, and it isn't just their labour practices, there are also allegations of illegal payments and abuse.
But news like this out of Australia has made me think again:
Several teachers have told The Australian they left Brethren schools in disgust at "excessive control" over what children were allowed to read and study.David Farrar doesn't like faith-based exemptions to the law but is uneasy about the whiff of revenge here. No Right Turn is uneasy as well. Fair enough, but I feel uneasy about how little we actually know about what goes on behind those closed doors.
And they said they were paid $10,000 a year less than teachers at comparable non-government schools because the sect did not allow enterprise bargaining.
The Brethren are coming under increased scrutiny in Australia as well as here, and it isn't just their labour practices, there are also allegations of illegal payments and abuse.
posted by Rob O'Neill at 6:28 PM
3 Comments:
I support the law but the government doesn't just have to be fair but also be seen to be fair.
The government could package the law with a whole lot of similar laws against other religious organizations (eg an outright law against giving exemptions to religions) OR leave pushing any such law off the table until temperatures are much lower.
If you can't do either of thsoe two it implies you are doing it for revenge and are capable of doing it because of revenge.
But lets look at why the EBs get an exemption - because they are apolitical. If they are then going to get involved in politics on a grand scale as they are internationally, then sorry they should no longer be exempt.
I agree Jack, unfortunately that was true before the revelations about the private eye and maybe should have been dealt with earlier - like straight after the last election.
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