Advocates have slammed Australia’s Federal Labor Party for abandoning its commitment to protect LGBTQIA+ teachers and students in religious schools from discrimination, just months out from the 2025 federal election.
Labor has confirmed to both Christian lobby groups and LGBTQIA+ forums that it will not pursue legislation unless it secures bipartisan support from the Coalition — a move that advocacy group Just.Equal Australia says effectively kills any chance of reform.
Labor Backs Away Without Coalition Support
Brian Greig, spokesperson for Just.Equal Australia, criticised the move, stating it’s unlikely protections will progress even if Labor retains government unless the Greens, Teals, and independents push the issue.
“It’s a cop-out for Federal Labor to say it requires bipartisan support on an issue the Coalition totally opposes,” Mr Greig said.
“Labor’s decision means that LGBTQA+ staff and students in faith schools can be subject to unfair treatment, contrary to its own promise and LGBTQA+ mental health strategies.”
He accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of attempting to shift blame for internal party divisions onto the Liberal Party.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has repeatedly stated his support for allowing religious schools to retain exemptions enabling discrimination against LGBTQA+ students and staff. Shadow Attorney-General Michaela Cash has taken an even stronger stance, arguing religious schools should have a “positive right” to discriminate — a proposal that would override some state and territory protections.
Labor’s Broken Promise
In 2022, Labor promised to deliver federal protections and directed the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to review the issue. The ALRC’s recommendations supported ending discrimination against LGBTQA+ students and staff, but Labor has failed to act, despite having the parliamentary numbers to pass reforms.
“Mr Albanese refused offers of help from the crossbench to pass the Bill, including Teals, Greens, and Independents,” Mr Greig said.
“Federal reform promised by Labor, now abandoned, would have protected teachers and students in three states that have either delayed or ignored reform. It might also have strengthened weak protections in other jurisdictions, given there is no national standard.”
Greig urged Greens, Teals, and independent candidates to publicly commit to pushing for these reforms if elected.
State-Based Protections Remain Patchy
Currently, protections for LGBTQA+ teachers and students vary across Australia. Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, and the Northern Territory have outlawed discrimination to differing degrees.
However, in New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia, faith-based schools can still lawfully discriminate.
In NSW, the Minns Labor Government deferred action pending a Law Reform Commission report. Western Australia’s Cook Labor Government has committed to reform during its current term following an Equal Opportunity Report, while South Australia’s Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas has made no such commitment.
With the 2025 election looming, advocates warn that meaningful national reform now rests in the hands of the next wave of crossbench MPs.
