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A patient being refused lifesaving medication, a student told they are not welcome at school, a jobseeker refused a position at a government funded organisation. These are some of the scenarios North-West parents fear could happen to their children if the federal government's religious freedom reforms become law. "If we want an equal society then we shouldn't have laws like this," Ulverstone GP Lizzi Shires said. Dr Shires is among a number of concerned parents supporting a campaign to ditch the laws run by Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. RELATED: Her profession made her particularly concerned the laws would allow doctors to refuse treatment, such as prescribing HIV prevention drug PrEP, and not be obliged to refer patients to another doctor, as required by Tasmanian law. "All governments should have better things to do than trying to discriminate against people legally and I think that's the bit that's quite upsetting," she said. "It just opens up new wounds and bad behaviour or discrimination, which will be particularly bad for children, but all sorts of people could be discriminated against under this legislation." Dr Shires was also concerned for her gay son Sam Watson, who said the proposed laws would allow religious organisations to discriminate on who they provided services to or employ. Mr Watson said Australia should be adopting Tasmania's "very strong" anti-discrimination act rather than watering it down with new federal legislation. "We have had no serious issues with our anti-discrimination act. It has protected and saved lives and it has paved the way for Tasmania to be a very progressive, open and inclusive state. It's time to protect that, not take it away," the 19-year-old said. Retired Baptist pastor Ian Carmichael, who has LGBTI children, said he was particularly concerned about the lack of clarity in the proposed legislation,. He said legislation was not clear about what constituted a religion and if it would protect the actions of an extremist religion "which might have particular views which are very unsavory in terms of race for example". "And it doesn't take any account of some bunch who wants to say create a new religion," the Penguin man said. "So if a new mob of Scientologists comes thought, how do you know whether that's a religion or not? How do you protect one group of religious against another group of religious?" The federal government released a revised version of the religious freedom bill in December with 11 key changes to address concerns from stakeholders. The legislation protects statements of religious belief, religious activity, conscientious objection to the provision of medical services and employment decisions based on a candidate's faith. Federal Braddon MP Gavin Pearce said feedback on the revised bill would be accepted until January 31 to provide "all members of the community an opportunity to raise their concerns". "This is a process that must be worked through methodically to ensure that we get this legislation right and delivers lasting reforms that provide real protections for all Australians," he said. "I am continually talking to and receiving feedback from community members and groups about the reforms. I welcome any individual or organisation who believe their voice is not being heard to either make a submission or contact my office.

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