Review into religious freedom laws to be fast-tracked under deal struck by QLD MP Warren Entsch

A critical review into religious freedom laws will be fast-tracked in a bid to ensure transgender students get more protections sooner, under a deal struck by a veteran Queensland MP.

A critical review into religious freedom laws will be fast-tracked in a bid to give transgender students more protections sooner, under a deal struck by a veteran Queensland MP.

The commitment secured by Cairns-based Liberal National MP Warren Entsch may well be the only concession afforded to transgender students, after federal Labor all but conceded to support the contentious laws.

The religious freedom laws, an election commitment of the Federal Government, were designed to protect individuals from discrimination as a result of their religious beliefs.

As part of the package, the government will also amend the Sex Discrimination Act to prevent gay students being expelled by religious schools, but similar protections for transgender students will instead be considered after a review by the Australian Law Reform Commission.

This review was meant to be done 12 months after the laws are passed, but Mr Entsch — a long-time advocate for LGBTQI+ rights — has secured a deal to shorten it to six months.

Part of the deal to secure Mr Entsch’s support for the Bill also involved broadening the review to investigate the “various discriminatory actions” taken by schools to force LGBTQI+ students out.

Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

“I certainly have concerns about a number of elements within this legislation, and it’s been a very difficult journey for me in trying to get some sort of balance here,” Mr Entsch said.

Federal Labor, following a marathon meeting of caucus, agreed to pursue changes to the Bill but will support its passage even if they fail to get their way.

Under changes proposed by Labor, gay and transgender students at faith-based schools would be protected from expulsion but a shield for teachers would need to be considered by the ALRC.

The Opposition also want to change the contentious “statement of belief” clause so that it does not override any existing human rights and state-based discrimination laws.

The clause protects Australians from legal repercussion if they make statements of religious belief that are in “good faith”, are not malicious and in accordance with the beliefs or teachings of that religion.

Labor’s position on the Bill comes against the backdrop of a stinging 2019 election review that found some Christian voters had abandoned the party.

“We support people’s right to practise their faith free from discrimination,” Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said.

“But they should not remove protections that already exists to protect against other forms of discrimination.”

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which controls two votes in the Senate, have already agreed to vote for the Bill despite threatening to roadblock the government over vaccine mandates.

Originally published as Review into religious freedom laws to be fast-tracked under deal struck by QLD MP Warren Entsch