SUBJECT: Religious discrimination bill.
 
ALLISON LANGDON, HOST: The controversial religious freedom bill has passed Lower House.
 
KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese, was there for the marathon debate lasting until the early hours, which went on until about 10 minutes to five this morning when it was voted on after a long, long night. How was it?
 
ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Good morning, well it was a very constructive debate for the most part. I support ensuring that people can't be discriminated against because of their religion or because of their faith. But I don't support discriminating against other people as part of this legislation. And that's the concern here. And a major impediment and issue was removed by a combination of Labor, the crossbench and some Liberals crossing the floor, which will basically stop students being discriminated against because of who they are. Whether it's their sexual orientation or their gender identity, it will stop that discrimination occurring. And that is a very, very good thing. The Government was very frustrated by that and ended up voting against one of their own bills, which was rather an extraordinarily petulant response.
 
LANGDON: So, typically, though, it has passed, and you are supported it.
 
ALBANESE: It has passed. We think there are further amendments that should be made. We think, for example, the issue of vilification against a Muslim woman wearing a hijab, for example, that can occur or someone of any faith being vilified should be included by provisions as well. And we will pursue those amendments in the Senate. There are other issues about discrimination against older people receiving home care. The bill covers aged care residents, but it doesn't cover home care. And the Council of the Ageing have been really concerned about that.
 
STEFANOVIC: But just to be clear again, you're supporting the bill and, as it stands, as it goes to the Senate, you'll be happy to pass that? Or at least you'll pass it?
 
ALBANESE: We will be pursuing amendments further in the Senate. We await to see what the Government does now. Their actions after the major amendment was carried were quite extraordinary. I haven't seen before, it isn't too often that governments lose votes on the floor of the House of Representatives, but I've never seen before a Government vote against a bill that they themselves introduced. But we saw that this morning in the early hours. Perhaps when they have a bit of sleep, they might realise that wasn't a very rational thing to do.
 
STEFANOVIC: It is odd, Albo, that you've been up all night. It's their bill and they've got it passed in the House of Reps and you're up first thing claiming credit.
 
ALBANESE: We're claiming credit for the amendments that were carried. We fought very hard.
 
STEFANOVIC: I understand.
 
ALBANESE: I support removing discrimination against everyone, essentially. This should have been a moment that united the nation. My concern was that it was dividing the nation. One of the votes last night was 62 in favour and 62 against, one of the amendments. That's not really taking the nation forward as one. It should be that we express support for our common humanity. We're a pretty diverse country, with people of different ethnicities, different religions, different genders, different sexual orientations. We need to respect each other and not have people discriminated against on the basis of who they are or their faith.
 
STEFANOVIC: Alright.
 
LANGDON: I tell you what, a long, long debate and, guess what, an even longer day for you today.
 
ALBANESE: It is. Question time might be pretty ordinary by 2pm
.
LANGDON: A couple of you might be dozing. Thanks, Albo.
 
STEFANOVIC: Thanks, Albo.
 
LANGDON: Talk to you soon.
 
ALBANESE: Thanks very much.
 
ENDS