Coalition-Labor deal to protect gay students hits roadblock

The Coalition and Labor have failed to strike a deal on legislation protecting gay students from being discriminated against.

Attorney-General Christian Porter. Picture: AAP

The Morrison government and Labor have failed to reach agreement on legislation protecting gay students from being discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality.

No bill will be introduced into parliament today, meaning that action will be delayed until the end of November — well beyond the two week time frame Scott Morrison had initially flagged to deal with the issue.

Attorney-General Christian Porter confirmed to The Australian the government strategy was to secure bipartisan support for its legislation and more time was needed in negotiations with Labor.

He confirmed the issue would be addressed in the final sitting fortnight of the year — a period when the government will be closer to responding in full to the review of religious freedom led by former Liberal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock.

“The Labor Party has not finalised its position and requires more time to consider the latest draft and, in reflecting the cooperative approach so far to this issue, we will not introduce a bill until Labor has had further time to consider the drafting with a view to coming to a bipartisan position,” Mr Porter said.

“To that end, the government will continue to consult with the Opposition with a view to having an agreed bill that can be introduced in the final sitting fortnight of the year”.

Mr Porter said the government would continue to work with the Opposition to amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act.

“It had been hoped that this agreement could be secured in time to provide for introduction of amendments into the House this sitting fortnight,” Mr Porter said.

“Those negotiations have been conducted in good faith and I thank the Shadow Attorney-General for his constructive approach.

“A first draft was provided to the Opposition last week and, based on feedback from the Labor Party, and a range of meetings with stakeholders, a subsequent draft was provided this week.”

Labor’s legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus blamed the government for the delay, arguing that it had tried to include provisions at the eleventh hour with far reaching consequences for LGBTI school children.

“Unfortunately the government has stuffed this up,” Mr 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”.

“Our position is clear. If the government presents legislation that simply removes the current exemption allowing discrimination against students, Labor would vote for it today”.

The Coalition and Labor have disagreed on whether the extra protections for gay students shielding them from discrimination in religious schools should be extended to over teachers.

The government has resisted extending the protections to teachers amid concern from religious schools that they will lose the ability to employ staff who uphold the key tenets of their faith.