Independent MP pushes bill to end religious school exemptions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 06:54 · Archive

An independent MP has introduced legislation to remove exemptions allowing religious schools to discriminate against staff and students based on sexuality or marital status.

Independent MP Allegra Spender has introduced legislation to the House of Representatives to remove exemptions in federal law that allow religious schools to discriminate against staff and students. Under current law, religious schools are exempt from key federal protections, allowing them to sack teachers or expel students because of protected characteristics including being gay, transgender, unmarried, divorced or pregnant.

Equality advocates have welcomed the amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act and Fair Work laws. Allegra Spender said most Australians would be surprised to learn that religious schools can still expel a student or sack a teacher for becoming pregnant, getting divorced or being gay. "Schools should be places where students are protected, where they can grow and be themselves," she said.

Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown urged the federal government and all federal MPs to support the bill, which already has Greens backing. "A gay student should not have to hide who they are to have a shot at leadership or live in fear of being expelled," Ms Brown said.

Labor committed to reforming federal anti-discrimination laws as an election promise in 2022. The attorney-general subsequently referred the matter to the Australian Law Reform Commission, which tabled a report in parliament in March 2024 calling for the discriminatory exemptions to be scrapped.

How it is being reported

• Labor urged to axe faith school bill exemptionAdvocates have welcomed an independent MP's bill to amend laws that allow religious schools to sack teachers or expel students over marital status or sexuality.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 06:22
• Labor urged to axe faith school bill exemptionAdvocates have welcomed an independent MP's bill to amend laws that allow religious schools to sack teachers or expel students over marital status or sexuality.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 06:21

In this story: Allegra Spender · Equality Australia · Australian Greens · Wentworth · Australian Labor Party

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