Media Release
Tuesday March 19th 2024
 
ALBANESE SELLS OUT LGBTIQA+ STUDENTS / TEACHERS
 
"Last year Albanese walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark World Pride and now he is throwing us off the bridge to appease those who want the right to expel, sack and otherwise mistreat us." - Rodney Croome
 
National LGBTIQA+ advocacy organisation, Just.Equal Australia, has accused Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, of selling out LGBTIQA+ students and staff in faith-based schools.
 
The accusation came after Mr Albanese said he would only amend discrimination laws to provide equal protection for LGBTIQA+ staff and students with Opposition support.
 
Just.Equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
 
"In its entire time in office the Coalition failed to protect LGBTIQA+ students and staff from discrimination by faith-based schools, and it's very unlikely to have changed its mind."
 
"By giving the Coalition a veto over Labor policy, Anthony Albanese has broken Labor's election commitment and sold out LGBTIQA+ students and staff."
 
"It’s deeply disappointing Anthony Albanese has put prejudice ahead of the equal human rights of vulnerable students and hard working teachers.”
 
"Last year Albanese walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark World Pride and now he is throwing us off the bridge to appease those who want the right to expel, sack and otherwise mistreat us."
 
"I urge all LGBTIQA+ Australians who voted Labor at the last election hoping faith schools would finally be governed by the same laws as everyone else, to call and write to Anthony Albanese now, urging him to stick to his promise."
 
Mr Croome went on to say there is nothing radical or threatening about the proposed reform.
 
“Tasmania has banned discrimination by faith-based schools against LGBTIQA+ staff and students for a quarter century without the sky falling in. Other states have followed suit, with the majority of jurisdictions now protecting students, while impending changes in Queensland will soon mean a majority protect teachers too."
 
 
"Archbishop Porteous' advocacy is exposed as baseless alarmism by the experience in his own state."
 
Mr Croome said Just.Equal Australia will continue to advocate for all LGBTIQA+ employees, students, patients and clients of faith-based schools, hospitals and other services to have equal protection from discrimination. 
 
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.