Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has slammed the controversial religious discrimination bill before federal parliament, saying his state would protect LGBTQI kids in schools if the laws were introduced.
His comments came after Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese on Wednesday night said they would pursue changes to the bill.
“This bill, as it stands right now, if it is not amended by either the House or the Senate, will only succeed in driving us apart,” he said.
Mr Albanese said Labor would delete a section of the Sex Discrimination Act “to remove discrimination against all children, whether gay or lesbian, bisexual or transgender”.
He also said the bill failed to protect people from vilification on the basis of their religion.
“Because where the Government’s bill does not even prohibit vilification of people on the basis of religious belief, religious dress or religious activity, that is a flaw,” he said.
During a marathon meeting of the Labor caucus, the opposition resolved to move amendments in the lower house but ultimately not reject the bill if they fail.
Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman has revealed he will cross the floor and support Labor’s amendments to the religious discrimination bill.
“I could not live with myself if I did not,” he told parliament.
However, Labor’s plan could take some of the sting out of the threats of Mr Zimmerman and other Liberal backbenchers, who had vowed to vote against the government legislation.
It sets the proposal up for an almighty fight in the Senate, where it is set to face fierce opposition from the Greens and the crossbench over the government’s decision to walk back a promise to ensure students at religious schools are not discriminated against based on their gender identity.
After the House of Representative agreed to sit late to finalise the package on Wednesday, Mr Andrews tweeted his disapproval.
“All kids deserve protection,” he tweeted.
“Gay kids, trans kids – all kids, no exceptions.
“If the federal government wants to change that, then we will do everything in our power to protect LGBTIQ+ Victorians.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s proposal would protect people of faith from vilification on the basis of their religioxjmtzywn, but a statement of belief has raised the ire of many advocates.
The clause allows Australians to make statements of religious belief under the protection of federal law as long as they are made “in good faith”, are not malicious and in accordance with the beliefs or teachings of that religion.
NSW Premier Dom Perrottet has also insisted the new laws are not needed.
He said the bill could cause more problems than it's worth.
“I don't believe legislation in this space is necessary and I think it can end up creating more problems than it is attempting to solve,” the Premier told reporters in Sydney.
The government on Tuesday resolved to amend the Sex Discrimination Act to ensure gay students cannot be expelled, but ruled out protections to transgender students until after a year long review by the Australian Law Reform Commision.
But leading LGBT activist Rodney Croome said the move panders to voters in Western Sydney over progress.
Mr Croome, a former director of Australian Marriage Equality and Tasmanian of the Year, was awarded an Order of Australia honour for his role in the decriminalisation of homosexuality in his state.
He now insists he will be handing back the honour if the bill is passed, writing it was clear leaders no longer valued his contribution.
“It was a moment of great pride for me and other advocates because it showed the nation valued our contribution,” he said.
“If the Religious Discrimination Bill passes in its current form, which would require the support of both major parties given dissent in Liberal ranks, it will effectively revoke the nation’s approval and instead declare our achievement to be a threat to faith and freedom.”
Asked about the proposal at the National Press Club, former Australian of the Year Grace Tame accused the parliament of not doing enough to protect LGBT rights.
“Why does one group of people have more of a right to be themselves than another, that's what I have to ask the Government,” Ms Tame said.
