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The prime minister has ruled out reintroducing religious discrimination legislation until fraying social cohesion improves.
The laws to bar discrimination in public places such as workplaces, schools, clubs and healthcare on religious belief were shelved by the government in August last year, with Anthony Albanese blaming a lack of support from the Opposition and rising community tensions.
Asked by SBS today about whether a re-elected Labor government would place the bills back on the agenda, Albanese said the situation had not improved and expressed reluctance to re-ignite debate.
“I maintain my position that you need broad support for legislation. We weren’t able to receive that,” Albanese said in Perth.
“This is the last time … that you would want to have a divisive debate about religion.
“I’m up for legislation that has broad support, but we do not need further issues created. I’ve been about turning the temperature down on those issues, which is what social cohesion requires.”
Labor outlawing discrimination against LGBTIQ+ students and staff at religious schools, as well discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs or lack thereof.
When the laws were withdrawn last year, Opposition legal affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash described cross-party negotations as “one of the most bizarre processes I have seen in my time in parliament”.
Faith groups first called for the legislation after the 2017 legalisation of marriage equality, concerned about the impacts of the new laws on their expression of religious belief, but successive attempts to pass legislation have fallen short.
The Turnbull government commissioned a review chaired by former attorney-general Philip Ruddock, with former prime minister Scott Morrison proposing and then in 2022.
LGBTIQ+ groups have also expressed dismay at the lack of progress on the issue.
SBS News has contacted the Opposition for comment.
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