Stephen Bates (Brisbane, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General. Right now LGBTIQA+ people can be fired from their place of work if they come out. The Prime Minister reportedly told caucus there are two ways for your government's antidiscrimination bills to pass parliament: one with the coalition and one with the Greens. You've given the coalition draft legislation but not the Greens or the crossbench, despite repeated requests. Will you commit today to providing us with a copy of the legislation so that we can work with you to pass it?

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank member for his question. The Albanese government believes that no Australian should be discriminated against because of who they are or what they believe. The government is seeking to enhance protections in antidiscrimination law in a way that brings Australians together. In essence, what the government wants to do is to prevent discrimination against people of faith, including vilification protections to protect all students from discrimination on any grounds and to protect teachers from discrimination at work, while maintaining the right of religious schools to preference people of their faith in the selection of staff. It is in the interests of all Australians that there be an enduring solution that strengthens protections for all Australians, including students, teachers and people of faith. That's why bipartisan support is so essential. We want to get this done, we want unity, not division. The Prime Minister has reached out to the Leader of the Opposition to get this done, and I continue to look forward to working with the opposition to progress legislation, if that is possible.