Labor looks set to pass religious discrimination laws within months

Labor will move to introduce laws against religious discrimination by the middle of this year, as Attorney General Mark Dreyfus says the issue cannot be postponed. Source: The Western Australia.

The government has said it will not push through the legislation without the support of the opposition, but Mr Dreyfus said on Friday he had had productive conversations with his counterpart on the opposition benches.

“We’re very happy to continue talking about this, but we can’t allow this to drag on,” he told ABC. R.N.

“Right now is a really good time for us to try to come together and legislate in a way that unites the country that protects children and teachers and protects people of faith.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cited social cohesion, which has come to the fore this week following the Sydney stabbing attacks, as the reason behind a refusal to publish a draft law.

Mr Dreyfus said he recently had a positive conversation with his opposition counterpart, Michaelia Cash, about the laws that would protect teachers and students from discrimination in schools.

“If we fail to reach an agreement, it will be a matter of great regret for me.”

Mr Dreyfus said the government wants to legislate the proposal by the middle of this year, but would not confirm whether it would be shelved if Labor cannot secure support.

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Religious discrimination laws could be passed within months (by Tess Ikonomou, MONKEY through Western AustraliaN)