Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I ask the Prime Minister again: will the Prime Minister join with Labor to ensure that teachers can't be sacked just because of who they are or who they love?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me read to you the explanatory memorandum to Labor's bill, circulated by the then Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, in March 2013:

The Bill will extend the exemption at section 38 of the SDA—

the Sexual Discrimination Act—

so that otherwise discriminatory conduct on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity will not be prohibited for educational institutions established for religious purpose. Consequently, the Bill will not alter the right to freedom of thought—

and it goes on. He said in his second reading speech:

The bill also amends existing exemptions as appropriate to reflect the new grounds. This includes exemptions for religious bodies in relation to employment and the provision of education that have been in place for many years.

I said, in answer to my earlier question, that the issues raised will be addressed through the process of our response to the Ruddock review, and this fortnight I have asked to work together with the Leader of the Opposition to provide the certainty for children and families. I would say to the Leader of the Opposition and those members opposite that we don't take kindly to being lectured on these issues when you created the laws which created the discrimination.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer?

Mr Morrison interjecting—

The Prime Minister has concluded his answer. The Manager of Opposition Business?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd ask the Prime Minister to table a copy of the Ruddock report that he referred to in his answer.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, the Prime Minister, as the Manager of Opposition Business well knows, did not quote from it. He merely referred to it. The point of order doesn't allow members to ask for documents to be tabled just merely because they've been referred to.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Mr Morrison interjecting—

If the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister would just pause—the member for Indi is seeking the call. The member for Indi has the call.