George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Dastyari, as I said in answer to your earlier questions, I am not familiar with the document and therefore I will not be commenting on it. However, if I may address for a moment the broader issue, the Turnbull government, like all Australian governments—I dare say—on both sides of the aisle, is very strongly committed to religious freedom. And indeed, might I point out to you that our Constitution contains an explicit constitutional protection of religious freedom in section 116. As well, Senator Dastyari, as you know, Australia is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which also contains strong expressions of support for and protection of religious freedom.