ScoMo staring down fiery Senate battle over controversial laws

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is gearing up for a major fight over controversial laws when politicians return to Canberra next week.

Dual reports into Scott Morrison’s contentious religious discrimination bill have been released, as politicians return to Canberra for the first sitting week of the year.

A Senate inquiry has called for the Parliament to pass the bill, but only after concerns over statements of religious belief and the hiring and firing of staff are fixed.

A second committee has recommended a slew of changes to the legislation, including clarification on how it applies to in-home aged and disability care

Its members want the human rights watchdog to play a greater role in overseeing the proposed laws.

The reports set the stage for a fierce debate in Canberra, with the government already flagging plans to pass the legislation next week.

Scott Morrison had hoped the bills would pass last year but he did not have the support. Picture Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire.

A draft Senate program has the religious discrimination bill listed for debate next Wednesday, suggesting the government hopes it will be waved through the lower house before then.

Mr Morrison had hoped to pass the legislation by the end of last year, but a lack of support within his own party led to the bill being referred to the twin inquiries.

The Prime Minister has vowed to make changes to the Sex Discrimination Act to stop religious schools from discriminating against LGBTI students, in order to fulfil a deal with moderate Liberals.

But his position is at odds with Assistant Attorney-General Amanda Stoker, who on Friday watered down suggestions amendments to protect LGBT students would be debated in parliament.

“There is certainly a group of people in our community who are pushing for that and I can understand the enthusiasm for seeking that done quickly,” she said.

The twin inquires give an idea about the path forward for the legislation.

“The reason I would suggest the original plan is to make sure that we legislate the Religious Discrimination Act first, and then change section 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act.”

Asked if she could confirm the changes would be made prior to the election in May, Senator Stoker said she couldn’t “sign it in blood”.

“It’s not my decision alone … We are trying to make it happen and I expect we’ll make it happen but I’m not going to sign it in blood,” she said.

Previously, Attorney-General Michaelia Cash flagged it could take up to 12 months for an amendment to be made, following a review from the Australian Law Reform Commission.

In her foreword to the human rights committee report, Nationals chair Anne Webster agreed with the Attorney-General.

“This religious discrimination legislative package does not affect the operation of these current exemptions (set out by the Sex Discrimination Act) and, as such, questions regarding these exemptions are best dealt with as part of the proposed review by the Australian Law Reform Commission,” Dr Webster said.

Originally published as ScoMo staring down fiery Senate battle over controversial laws