Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Paul Karp

The Coalition promised in 2018 to protect LGBTQ+ children in schools. What’s taking so long?

Supporters of LGBTQ rights march towards Scott Morrison's electoral office in Sydney in December 2021.
Supporters of LGBTQ rights march towards Scott Morrison's electoral office in Sydney in December 2021. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/EPA

As debate rages about the religious discrimination bill, let’s remember a simple fact: under federal law, religious schools can already expel gay and transgender students for their sexuality and gender.

As Coalition attack lines have emphasised this week, this power comes from an exemption for religious educational institutions in the Sex Discrimination Act, including a version passed by the Labor government in 2013.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.