Anthony Albanese has reiterated that updates to religious discrimination laws will be reliant upon bipartisan support in parliament, to ensure a harmful debate does not play out.
“Given where we’re at in 2025, the idea that we would have a partisan debate in the parliament could actually lead to more division,” the prime minister said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Aftab Malik, the special envoy to combat Islamophobia, and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly.Credit: AAP
“I have said to faith leaders as well that I certainly support religious discrimination legislation, but I don’t support starting a debate that leads to rancour. That doesn’t mean it needs unanimous agreement. It does mean, though, that we expect parties of government to be supportive of such a reform.”
Albanese said he would be willing to work with Opposition Leader Sussan ley on the legislation. He also pointed to the Morrison government’s paused attempt to pass the legislation before the 2022 election.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly – in welcoming the report written by Aftab Malik, the special envoy to combat Islamophobia – thanked both the envoys for antisemitism and Islamophobia for their work to promote social cohesion in Australia.
“What Aftab has done with this report is to give voice to Muslims across Australia who have long endured discrimination, racism, and, at times, some pretty abhorrent acts of just outright hatred, and often, without a form of recourse to pursue on that,” Aly said.