Proposed “radical and dangerous” changes to the NT’s Anti-Discrimination Act are being brought about to further the NT Attorney-General’s personal agenda and are not in the best interests of Territorians, an independent MLA says.

The proposed changes to the Act, that are expected to be passed in Parliament this week, will see the section that permitted religious groups to discriminate based on sexuality removed, but will also remove the right to hire based on a potential employee’s faith.

On Saturday, the NT’s Catholic Bishop Charles Gauci held a public forum where he said the proposed changes to the Act would result in “reverse discrimination” where religious schools would be unable to hire teachers and executives based on their religious beliefs.

“No other jurisdiction has proposed or enacted laws as strict as this present law is enacting,” he said.

Those sentiments were backed up by the Hindu, Sikh, Islamic and Buddhist community.

However, the Fyles Government has rejected calls for further consultation arguing the reforms are needed to protect Territorians, but have not been able to provide an example of an issue arising from the current legislation.

Concerns have also been raised about the public’s right to free speech being eroded if their comments are found by anyone to cause “offence”.

Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley said Labor Attorney-General Chansey Paech has forced “Labor values” on Territorians rather than introduce sound legislation that is in the best interests of the public.

“Territorians deserve a broader more sensible, less radical, approach to anti-discrimination,” she said.

“Everyone has a right to live their lives free of discrimination [on the grounds of] sexual, gender and religious freedom.

“However, this bill is about the Attorney-General’s very close and personal connection to the LGBTQI+ community. Chansey is a champion of their cause, but it seems at the expense of all others.”

Paech announced he was nominated for ‘politician of the year’

In February, Mr Paech took to social media to announce he had been nominated for the One Young World group’s “politician of the year”.

“I grew up in Alice Springs. I am of Aboriginal and German heritage. I am Blak. I am gay. I am Australian. I am 34-years-old,” he wrote on Twitter when announcing his nomination.

“You can’t be what you can’t see. And I couldn’t see myself reflected in the people representing my local community and our mighty Northern Territory here in Australia.”

Ms Lambley said while it was crucial to protect LGBTQI+ people from discrimination, she was concerned that Mr Paech may have let his personal beliefs interfere in his professional duties as a law-maker.

“His ambition to be recognised as a leader within his community knows no bounds, seeking accolades as a gay politician speaks volumes,” she said.

“You could argue Paech has a conflict of interest aggressively pursuing the rights of LGBTQI+ people whilst happily discriminating against others.”

The Fyles Government has said the changes were brought as a result of consultation with the NT’s LGBTQI+ community.

Top End Pride Committee said the changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act would create more opportunities for LGBTQ+ Territorians.

“It’s going to greatly impact the community and provide more opportunities for LGBTQ+ people in the education system, that in the religious education system … haven’t previously existed, which is going to be really great to see and create a lot more acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community,” member Paige Horrigan told the ABC.

Opposition CLP says they will reverse amendments if elected

Deputy CLP Leader Gerard Maley said Labor had “made a mess of the Bill by wrapping up common sense protections with bad legislation that people strongly reject”.

The CLP has argued the proposed amendments are “out of step” with Territorians and would inflict unknown processes on people if they are accused by anyone of causing “offence” based on public comments. They called for Labor to consult further and hold off passing the amendments, which were changed after the Bill was put out for consultation earlier this year.

“[Chief Minister] Natasha Fyles this morning doubled down on passing the Bill this week, saying the offence provisions would only apply if there was a ‘profound and serious effect’ – but the words ‘profound and serious’ do not appear in the Bill,” Mr Maley said.

“Likewise, Attorney-General Chansey Paech said the provisions were directed at people ‘using hateful and bigoted language’ and things that were ‘extremely offensive or grotesque’ – but none of those words are in the Bill.

“On radio this morning, Natasha Fyles also said people would have plenty of time to look at the Bill and how it would be ‘enacted in their situation’ after the Bill was passed.

“That comment is just laughable and shows how Natasha Fyles thinks Territorians are fools.”

Mr Paech’s office was contacted for comment.