Anglicare SA rejects discrimination

Anglicare SA has made a statement committing the organisation to diversity and respect for all people regardless of sexuality or gender identity.

The move comes amid the growing controversy over the Federal Government's proposed anti-discrimination legislation which offers exemptions to religious bodies and other groups that would allow them to discriminate against LGBTI people and others.

Anglicare SA's sister organisation in NSW wrote a submission supporting the existing exemptions but the chief executive officer of the SA branch, Reverend Peter Sandeman, was quick to distance the local organisation from those opinions.

“Recently concerns have been expressed about the submission made by another organisation in response to the Draft of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012,” Sandeman said.

“It may be useful to restate the Anglicare SA policy first established in December 2003 which values and welcomes diversity and inclusion.

“The policy states: Anglicare SA is committed to enhancing the delivery and quality of its services to people living in South Australia regardless of race, age, language, gender, country of origin, cultural background, religion, sexual preference or disability. Anglicare benefits from, supports and values the diversity amongst its staff and volunteers, clients and residents, and views this diversity as an asset to its work.”

Sandeman said Anglicare SA was one of the state's largest not-for-profit organisations with 1400 staff, 900 volunteers and a turnover around $100 million.

“Anglicare SA has a focus on enhancing dignity and integrity and promoting social justice for all South Australians,” he said.