Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls this week announced a controversial deal allowing church-run organisations to discriminate against single mothers, gays, and lesbians.

Under changes to the State’s Equal Opportunity Act, religious organisations can refuse to provide services or employ a person on the basis of their sexuality, marital status and religious beliefs.

The changes will be introduced early next year, and will require victims of discrimination to make a complaint and the religious body to justify their decision.

Professor Margaret Thornton is a discrimination law expert at ANU. She spoke to 2SER’s Rebecca Leaver about the changes.