In an address to the National Press Club of Australia on Tuesday, Tehan said people of faith are more likely to steer clear of Australia and prevent it from attracting the best available global talent.

Political correctness has eroded their freedoms and cowed others from speaking out in their defence, he said.

"When we erode any one of our values, it weakens all the things that make us great and dims the beacon that immigrants search for when looking for a new life."

"In a globally competitive world, that harms our ability to attract young, skilled migrants.

"When it comes to freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the basic principles of justice, I am deeply concerned this is already happening."

The speech comes as Labor faces new demands from religious leaders over its religious discrimination bill. It coincides with widespread alarm at Essendon Football Club's decision to force out Andrew Thorburn as chief executive because of his leadership role at the City on a Hill church.

Thorburn said the saga showed him his "personal Christian faith" was "not tolerated or permitted in the public square."

Tehan questions this. "What happens when we dismiss contributions to society informed by a reasonable religious belief - and in some cases merely a religious association?

Sadly, it makes it clear: your religion and your religious views are not welcome here.

"What message does this send to new and potential immigrants whose religion is an important part of their life?"

Citing the latest census data, Tehan said 69 percent of recent migrants indicated a religious affiliation compared to 54 per cent of the general population.

The proportion globally who identified as having a religious affiliation continued to rise, he added.

"It will reach 86.8 per cent of the world's population by 2050, according to the Pew Research Centre. Religious freedom has to be a factor when highly skilled migrants are choosing where to live."

Sources

• The Australian
• CathNews New Zealand

Morrison's religious discrimination bill, a 2019 election pledge, will shield Australians from prosecution if they express reasonable and genuinely held faith-based views despite offending others.

Senior government sources said the revised bill removed some of the more controversial or "extreme" measures in earlier drafts and offered a "sensible compromise".

The government has removed the ‘Folau clause' but retained exemptions guaranteeing that professional bodies cannot dismiss people based on religious beliefs. The clause refers to rugby union player Israel Folau who was stripped of his contract in 2019 after posting "hell awaits" gay people on social media.

It is understood faith-based groups have adopted a pragmatic approach to the bill, realising that outcomes gained from the proposed laws would offer more protections than they currently have.

Catholic Bishops Conference spokesman Peter Comensoli, the Archbishop of Melbourne, said a religious discrimination bill was "an important progression towards parity with other anti-discrimination protections".

However, doctors have called for a halt to draft federal laws to enshrine religious freedom out of concern the changes would curb access to health services for women. They believe it will also compound discrimination against gay and lesbian Australians.

"It's unnecessary to introduce ‘religious freedom' laws when these rights are already protected under Australian law," said Dr Karen Price, president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

"Furthermore, we remain concerned about the potential impact of the bill on the delivery and access to some women's health services, and vulnerable groups' access to suitable healthcare or particular health services.

"The proposed law could compound negative community attitudes toward those most vulnerable, including minority groups and the LGBTQI+ community.

"Given Australia is already in the grips of a mental health crisis, we must do everything in our power to prevent this."

The religious discrimination bill will be debated by the lower house next week. It will then be sent to the Senate, where it is expected to be referred to a committee process.

Sources

• The Australian
• The Sydney Morning Herald
• Sky News Australia