Attorney General Christian Porter has shared the government’s proposed legislation for protecting LGBTI students from being expelled from schools with the opposition.
Following widespread community outrage that current federal anti-discrimination act allows for LGBTI students to be expelled from religious based schools over their sexuality, the government promised to introduce legislation to fix the problem within the current parliamentary sitting – but time is running out for the government to get the bill across the line.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Christian Porter confirmed to The Australian that a draft copy of the legislation had been shared with the opposition.
“The government has provided a first draft and is continuing to negotiate on the proposed amendments. It remains the government’s intention to introduce the bill this week. It is preferable to have an agreed bill to introduce.”
Labor’s Shadow Attorney General has said his party will scruitize the proposed changes and give a response to the government.
There is a significant difference between what the government has indicated they are willing to introduce and what the opposition has offered to support. While the government is in favour of removing discrimination against children, it is not offering any protections for school teachers or other school staff.
LGBTI rights advocates have also called for more clarification regarding protections for students who have same-sex attracted parents or siblings and transgender students.
The Greens have introduced their own bill that would provide protections for both students and teachers. That bill was debated in the senate last week.
The Australian Conservatives have indicated that they do not support students being expelled because of their sexuality, but believe it is fair to expel students if they discover they have engaged in homosexual sexual acts.
Update: The bills have not been listed for discussion in parliament today, only 8 sitting days remain for 2018, the House of Representatives next sits on November 26.
OIP Staff
