Parliament fails to change laws allowing religious schools to expel gay students

CANBERRA has failed to axe laws which allow religious schools to expel gay students, with Labor slamming the government for “stuffing up” changes revealed at the last minute.

PARLIAMENT has failed to axe laws which allow religious schools to expel gay students, with Labor declaring the government has “stuffed this up”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed to act urgently last week to remove the exemption for religious schools which allowed them to discriminate against students based on their sexuality.

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Scott Morrison vowed to make sure religious schools couldn’t expel gay students, but now, they laws won’t be changed before the last sitting period for the year. Picture: Kym Smith

Labor had backed the push following leaked recommendations from the Ruddock review of religious freedoms but today rejected draft legislation to change the current law, arguing it went beyond what the government had promised and had “potentially significant ramifications for LGBTI students”.

It’s the last day both houses of Parliament sit before late November, meaning the laws won’t be changed before the last sitting period for the year.

“Unfortunately the Government has stuffed this up,” Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said.

“The legislation presented to Labor late yesterday includes provisions that go beyond what the government promised, with potentially significant ramification for LGBTI students.

“Labor has not been given an opportunity to consult on these new proposals.

“Nevertheless, we made clear we would have supported introduction today so the public have a chance to have their say.

“Again, we see the government refusing to allow debate on these important issues.”

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the government had ‘stuffed this up’. Picture: AAP/Lukas Coch

Mr Dreyfus said Labor would have voted for the legislation today if it simply removed the current exemption allowing discrimination against students.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the government was continuing to work with Labor to secure bipartisan support on the reform.

He said the negotiations had been conducted in good faith and the government would not introduce the laws until the final sitting fortnight.

News Corp understands Labor was concerned the reforms could have potentially allowed new forms of indirect discrimination against LGBTI students.