SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
SENATOR LOUISE PRATT
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EQUALITY
CHAIR OF LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS REFERENCES COMMITTEE
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
GOVERNMENT AND CENTRE ALLIANCE BLOCK VOTE TO PROTECT STUDENTS
Government Senators have teamed up with Centre Alliance to block a vote to remove exemptions in the Sex Discrimination Act relating to discrimination against LGBTIQ kids - in breach of Prime Minister Morrison's commitment to deal with the matter urgently.
Their decision helps the Government prevent this important bill being debated or voted on in the Senate before Christmas.
It means LGBTIQ kids now face the prospect of returning to school next year knowing they can be expelled simply for being gay.
Labor's bill was a straightforward repeal of the relevant sections of the Sex Discrimination Act exactly what Scott Morrison promised he would do in the lead up to the Wentworth by-election:
To address this issue I will be taking action to ensure amendments are introduced as soon as practicable to make it clear that no student of a non-state school should be expelled on the basis of their sexuality.
I believe this view is shared across the Parliament and we should use the next fortnight to ensure this matter is addressed.
- Scott Morrison press release, 13 October 2018
There is only one explanation for the Governments shameful backflip in the Senate it is terrified of losing a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.
This is the point we have reached the Government is so chaotic, so divided and so dysfunctional it cant even allow something as simple and straightforward as a bill to protect school kids from discrimination, even when the Prime Minister has promised to deal with the matter urgently.
Labor will not give up on LGBTIQ students, even though the Government and Centre Alliance have turned their backs on vulnerable children in the most shameful way and we have given notice that we will move tomorrow to again bring this important bill to a vote this week.
MONDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2018
