Dear Supporters,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to provide you with an update regarding the response we received from Ryan Perry, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Workplace Exploitation Branch at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, regarding our petition on the exploitation of workers in various church roles. We wanted to provide you with this update because transparency and accountability are essential in our advocacy efforts.

In his response dated February 26, 2024, Mr. Perry outlined the Australian Government's commitment to tackling workplace exploitation and promoting fair and inclusive workplaces. 

While we appreciate the government's efforts in this regard, we are disappointed that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is not taking direct action to address the specific concerns outlined in our petition. The experiences shared by workers in the Christian ministry highlight unique challenges that require targeted interventions. Mr Perry redirected us down other avenues such as the Fair Work Commission, the relevant workplace safety authorities, and the Fair Work Ombudsman.

However, we will continue to explore these and other avenues to find allies who are willing to take concrete steps to address this pressing issue.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to this cause. Together, we can work towards ensuring that all workers, regardless of their religious affiliation, are treated fairly and with dignity in the workplace.

Best regards,

Blair Courtney-O'Connor

Christian Workers Advocacy