SMH: Albanese’s sudden retreat on religious discrimination sparks Dutton fury

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sparked a political firestorm over gay rights, gender and religious freedom by vowing to shelve changes to discrimination law unless he gains Coalition support for new rules for thousands of schools and other faith-based institutions.

The sudden move marks a retreat on Labor’s election pledge to update the law to protect the right of religious schools to practise their faith while also shielding teachers and students from discrimination on the basis of their sexuality.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said it was “extremely concerned” at reports the government might backtrack on the laws to protect students and teachers in religious schools against discrimination.

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