ACT Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, and openly queer man, Johnathan Davis MLA has said he is heartbroken to learn that Federal Labor will support the Coalition’s Religious Discrimination Bill.
“I’m always disappointed but never surprised to see hate and bigotry supported by the Liberal and National parties.
“But I am devastated and heartbroken that Labor are supporting the Religious Discrimination Bill, albeit with ‘minor and technical amendments’.
“Maybe Labor should run that slogan in the upcoming federal election: ‘Vote Labor, for minor and technical amendments’.
“This Bill is designed to wind back existing discrimination protections for LGBTIQA+ people under the guise of so-called religious freedoms.
“Here in the ACT, the Greens and Labor govern together. That collaboration has resulted in more progressive social, economic and environmental outcomes for Canberra.
“In the ACT, we successfully balance religious discrimination protections with protections for LGBTIQA+ people through a robust human rights framework. It can be done, but this legislation isn’t it. This Bill is obviously about protecting hate-speech.
“We need the same kind of power sharing arrangement in the federal parliament. If we had that, this Bill would never be considered.
“That’s why I’m encouraging everyone in Canberra to vote for Greens including my friends and colleagues, Dr. Tjanara Goreng Goreng, Greens candidates for the ACT Senate and Tim Hollo Greens candidate for the Seat of Canberra.”
