LGBTQI advocates want the federal government to release draft religious discrimination legislation as a report highlights failings at faith schools.
Labor has given the proposal to the opposition,but is keeping it from the public because it says it wants to avoid a divisive culture war. For the same reason,Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government says they will only proceed with the bill with bipartisan support.
Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown said she would like to see a copy of the bill to have a respectful debate.
“We believe strongly that this is an issue that can unite the parliament not divide it,and Australians,like they did during the marriage equality debate,can come together around the principles of fairness and equality,” she said.
In a review,the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended scrapping laws that allow religious schools to discriminate against staff on the basis of their faith.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said religious schools should be allowed to hire workers who reflect their faith,but not sack employees based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
“Once you have employed somebody,then all the normal rights against discrimination should be held by that worker,” he told ABC radio today.
“It goes to the firing issue. That would be an example of discrimination if it was done for a reason for one of those protected categories.”
Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash said the government wanted to keep the process behind close doors,labelling the situation absurd and “reaching a farcical level”.
“The Albanese government needs to publish its religious discrimination legislation as soon as possible,” she said.
AAP