The Australian Greens have slammed the Prime Minister for failing to bring forward a Bill today that would remove exemptions that allow religious schools to expel students.
The Government announced today that they have drafted a copy of legislation that would protect students and have provided it to Labor to be considered. The move is a response to the recently leaked Ruddock Review into religious freedom, which highlighted the discrimination exemptions for religious schools.
Last week the Greens introduced their own bill which would protect students, teachers and staff from being removed on the basis of their sexuality or gender. The government have flagged that they are only seeking to protect students with their legislation.
The Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson Senator Janet Rice says the government not bringing a Bill forward today shows the Prime Minister is seeking to avoid division within his party.
“The Government’s failure to introduce a Bill today proves that Prime Minister Morrison is more interested in avoiding a divisive party room so soon after the Wentworth disaster than protesting LGBTIQ+ students and staff from discrimination,” Senator Rice said.
“Once again LGBTIQ+ people are being held to ransom by the hard right of the Liberal party.”
Senator Rice has criticised the Prime Minister for moving slowly on the issue, noting that he said last week that he wanted to to make the “simple amendment” within the fortnight.
“The only complexity now is because of the internal politics of the Liberal party and the hard right that control the Liberal party room,” Senator Rice added.
“The Greens have a bill before the Senate that is already being debated and would remove all discrimination in schools against both LGBTIQ+ staff and students.
OIP Staff
