Australia’s only openly gay government leader has called on his federal counterparts to oppose a contentious religious freedoms bill.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has warned it will be “problematic” for federal Labor if they do decide to wave through the bill this week unopposed.
“If they wave it through without amendment and Liberal members are crossing the floor against their own government bill and Labor votes for it – that is problematic,” the territory Labor leader told ABC Radio National.
Scott Morrison is trying to pass the religious discrimination bill as well as make changes to make it illegal to expel gay stuxjmtzywdents from school.
But its proposed laws will leave schools with a legal basis to discriminate against students on the basis of gender identity.
Mr Barr said “significant amendments” would be required for the bill to be workable.
Federal Labor has yet to signal it’s position on the final package agreed to by the government in a marathon party room meeting on Tuesday.
An impassioned speech by opposition frontbencher Stephen Jones, in which he spoke about the recent suicide of his gay nephew and the fear he holds for his own non-gender conforming son, has added to the pressure for Labor to formally oppose the bill.
“What message do we want this parliament to send to these kids? Are they as loved and cherished and respected as every other kid?” Mr Jones said.
Liberal backbenchers Bridget Archer and Trent Zimmerman have signalled they will reserve the right to cross the floor on the bill.
Speaking in parliament after the party room meeting, Ms Archer said she was “horrified” and “utterly distressed” the government was not acting to protect transgender students.
“I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation,” she said.
“After so much progress how did we get back to a place where we ignore the harm we place on children when we tell them they are ‘other’, ‘less than’ and do not deserve rights and protections afforded to others – I fear it may risk lives.”
With his bill hanging in the balance, the Prime Minister met with key crossbencher Helen Haines on Tuesday evening in an attempt to shore up her support.
But the independent MP said she made it “very clear” to him that she would not support the bill.
“I have serious concerns and most particularly I have real concerns about the safety and protection of our young gay students, our LGBTIQ+ students and transgender students and I am of the view I will not be saying yes to this bill in its current form,” Dr Haines told the ABC.
“I met with the Prime Minister last night who sought my view on where I today and I made it very clear to him I am a no.”
She added Mr Morrison made no effort to address her concerns or offer any further amendments to try and win over her vote.
