Labor push for LGBTI students inquiry

A bill to stop discrimination against gay students will hit parliament by the end of the month, as Labor pushes for a Senate inquiry.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek says an inquiry would force consultation on the issue. Picture: Alan Barber

Attorney General Christian Porter says he will put forward a bill to remove discrimination against gay students in the parliament’s last sitting fortnight, as Labor pushes a Senate inquiry.

Scott Morrison had promised to legislate against discrimination of LGBTI students last month after an independent review into religious freedoms was leaked. But the government failed to introduce a bill during the last sitting week.

Mr Porter told The Australian today that work is under way on an anti-discrimination bill and he wants to introduce it on the week of November 26 when the House of Representative next sits.

“The Government has been working with Labor on a Bill which removes discrimination against students and if they are willing to pass it, the Government will introduce it in the next sitting period,” he said in a statement.

“Equally, the Government will work with the Committee to achieve the same end.”

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek and opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus said today that Mr Morrison was “delaying” the legislation and a Senate inquiry would renew focus on the issue.

“A short inquiry will allow the Government’s bill on students to be thoroughly examined and scrutinised — the Government did no consultation, so we are forcing them to,” they said in a statement.

“In particular, the committee will inquire into whether the government’s proposal to expand exemptions for indirect discrimination are necessary in addition to existing protections for schools.”

Labor would also use the inquiry to examine how it could remove discrimination against LGBTI staff in religious schools.

The government is not promising to change that area of anti-discrimination legislation over concerns from schools about their religious freedoms.

Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies apologised last week for the “distress” caused by a letter signed by the heads of Anglican schools calling on the government to defend religious freedoms.

In a statement, Dr Davies said the letter — sent last week to all federal MPs — had the “unfortunate consequence of affecting many gay students and teachers in our schools.”

Labor intends for the Senate inquiry to give an interim report on November 26, when the House of Representatives sits next.