Scott Morrison has sounded the alarm on his election fortunes, warning his troops the government could lose if they don’t get behind his religious discrimination Bill.
His call for unity came amid a marathon party room meeting where Coalition MPs gave the rubber stamp to the Bill’s amendments.
“My appeal to you is to come together and think about our team,” Mr Morrison said.
Mr Morrison has just nine sitting days to pass the Bill he promised more than three years ago. The Bill would protect people of faith from vilification on the basis of their religion.
He is also attempting to amend the Sex Discrimination Act to make it illegal for religious schools to expel gay students.
But the proposed laws will leave schools with a legal basis to discriminate against students on the basis of gender identity.
The move forced a meeting of Labor’s shadow cabinet early on Wednesday morning as pressure mounts on the opposition to declare its position.
Earlier, Australia’s only openly gay government leader called on Labor to oppose the Bill.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it would be “problematic” for Labor to wave the Bill through.
“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.
His comments followed a moving speech from opposition frontbencher Stephen Jones in which he spoke about the recent suicide of his gay nephew and the fear he held for his own gender-nonconforming son.
“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.
Mr Morrison will be relying on Labor’s support to push the Bill through the lower house after Liberal backbenchers Bridget Archer and Trent Zimmerman signalled they will reserve their right to cross the floor.
Dave Sharma, Katie Allen, Fiona Martin and Andrew Bragg have also raised concerns about the Bill.
Speaking with Nine radio, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrew conceded she would be voting for the Bill despite viewing it as “xjmtzywproblematic”.
“It’s problematic, without a doubt … But let me be clear, I’m supporting that legislation,” she said.
With his Bill hanging in the balance, Mr Morrison also 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. I made it very clear to him I am a no.”
She added that Mr Morrison made no effort to address her concerns or offer any further amendments to try to win over her vote.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said while she “ultimately” wanted to see protections for transgender students, any changes needed to be reviewed by the Law Reform Commission.
“We have a very strong system of religious schools in the country, I don’t want to see that undone at the same time … and I think that there are constructive steps that we are taking,” Senator Payne told ABC Radio National.
