One of the foundational principles of Human Rights is that people should be able to form associations with others that they want to. This is how religious, political and philosophical communities and groups are created. Part of being free in believing something is being able to act on that belief.

Religious charities and schools are the most well recognised of these kinds of organisations in Australian society. In the past they have borne the lion’s share of delivering social goods like health-care and education to the Australian community. Today these organisations are facing increasing pressure to make compromises on their core principles and beliefs, which is a direct threat to their very reason for existence.