The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) dismissed Mark J. Savage’s religious discrimination complaint against Salus Medical Clinic as misconceived. The decision, dated 6 August 2024, concerned Savage’s refusal to wear a mask at the clinic in March 2021.
Savage argued that his evangelical Christian belief required him to bear witness to truth and entitled him to refuse a mask. The clinic argued that the complaint had no genuine basis and that his refusal appeared linked to his belief that Covid-19 was not real.
The adjudication officer said Savage appeared to treat disagreement with his view of truth, when it restricted his access to services, as religious discrimination. The WRC dismissed the claim under section 22 of the Equal Status Act, which allows dismissal of claims considered misconceived.