Hello Darren,
Parliament this week had an opportunity to extend anti-discrimination protections to more Australians. We had an opportunity to move the country forward in the spirit of our Australian values of inclusion and respect.
This is not what happened.
Instead, flawed legislation from the Morrison-Joyce Government was produced at the last minute and failed to deliver on commitments the Prime Minister made to protect children.
Labor was successful in amending the legislation to prohibit discrimination against school children because of who they are. This is a critical step towards ensuring their ongoing protection.
It is extraordinary that the Prime Minister walked away from his commitment to extend anti-discrimination laws by not debating the legislation in the Senate.
He and his Government are in disarray.
If Labor had gone the easy route of just opting to vote against an unblockable bill, we would likely now have this dreadful, harmful legislation passed through Parliament.
I am very proud we succeeded in passing amendments to end discrimination against children on the basis of sexuality and gender identity.
And I am very proud of some of the incredible speeches my colleagues made in support of the Labor amendments in the House. If you have not yet had the chance to hear Stephen Jones speak, I urge you to take 10 minutes to listen here.
Labor believes all Australians have the right to live their lives free of discrimination.
Sadly, discrimination on the basis of faith is all too real.
Labor is committed to ending this vilification and discrimination but in doing so we must not diminish protections for others.
A future Labor government will:
prevent discrimination against people of faith, including anti-vilification protections;
act to protect all students from discrimination on any grounds; and,
protect teachers from discrimination at work, whilst maintaining the right of religious schools to preference people of their faith in the selection of staff.
This should be an opportunity to unite the nation, not divide it.
Yamalu
Malarndirri
Aboriginal Social Media & Communications Network 2021
