National LGBTIQ+ group Equality Australia is urging the Federal Government not to delay legal protections for LGBTQ+ staff and students in religious schools. 

“If the Prime Minister is serious about fulfilling his election commitment, he can take simple and quick steps right now to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and staff in religious schools,” said Equality Australia Legal Director Ghassan Kassisieh. 

“While we continue to wait for the law to change, more people will lose their jobs and more children will be denied leadership roles or be forced to leave school.” 

It was reported on Tuesday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told caucus that he would not proceed with changes to religious discrimination law unless it has bipartisan support from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. 

“We have spent more than a decade raising this issue, with many reviews and attempts to change the law. Now is the time for laws that protect all of us, equally,” Mr Kassisieh said. 

Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown said successive governments had failed to address significant gaps in protections for workers, students and service users in religious schools and organisations. 

“This will come as a crushing blow for those waiting for better protections including women, people who are divorced or in de facto relationships, and people of faith,” she said. 

“We urge the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and all parliamentarians to do the right thing and get these reforms through parliament. The law is out of step with 21st century community expectations and it’s time for it to finally change.” 

Contact: Tara Ravens tara.ravens@equalityaustralia.org.au 0408 898 154 or Emily Mulligan emily.mulligan@equalityaustralia.org.au 0411 207 633