Allegra Spender pushes to remove religious exemptions against LGBTIQ students, teachers

Key points

• Independent MP Allega Spender has introduced a bill to remove federal exemptions that allow religious schools to discriminate against students, teachers and contract workers based on sexual orientation, gender identity and related grounds. The bill would also extend protections to associates of those affected.
• Spender said the current law sends a harmful message beyond school gates and that religious schools could keep their ethos without the exemption.
• The bill would still allow schools to prefer staff of their faith in hiring and in senior leadership roles.