A Religious Discrimination Act should not be used to undermine or override state based anti-discrimination laws, the Australian Greens say, following the release of the government’s response to the Ruddock Review.

Greens Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said: “Religious freedom cannot be viewed in isolation, nor should it be used as a political weapon in an act of vengeance for the marriage equality vote.”

 The Senate has passed a motion celebrating the first anniversary of marriage equality being passed in the parliament. The motion also noted the harm caused by the postal survey and that LGBTIQ+ people still face daily discrimination.

“I’m pleased to be celebrating the first anniversary of marriage equality passing parliament,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

Last week’s rollover of the New South Wales native forest logging laws for another 20 years is nothing short of criminal.

“This disastrous rollover of last century’s Regional Forest Agreements signs the death warrant for threatened species and gives woodchippers everything they have ever wanted - all their Christmases come at once,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens forests spokesperson.

 Scott Morrison’s bill does not remove discrimination against LGBTQ+ kids, it opens the door to even more discrimination, say the Australian Greens.

“This bill is a Trojan horse that will expand discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, not remove it,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

“This bill allows schools to bully, exclude or even refuse to teach LGBTQ+ students. It is unacceptable.”

The Australian Greens have announced $10 million per year of funding into ending HIV in Australia, with a further $1 million for national campaigns that break down HIV discrimination and stigma, ahead of World AIDS Day on Saturday 1 December.

“We have the chance to end HIV in Australia. The Greens will invest $10 million a year into organisations that do the incredibly important work of combating and preventing HIV,” said Senator Richard Di Natale, leader of the Australian Greens and a doctor.

The Australian Greens will move amendments to Labor’s bill to ensure discrimination against LGBTQ+ teachers and staff, as well as students, is removed.

“Labor and the Morrison government must support the Greens amendments to include teachers and staff," said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

“It’s clear from the title of Labor’s bill that it will only end discrimination against students and that religious schools would still be able to fire LGBTQ+ teachers and other staff, just for being who they are.”

The Nationals are showing their desperation to not lose the state seat of Lismore to the Greens, following a motion introduced in the Australian Senate today.

“The motion over a Facebook post shows the National Party are desperate to hold on to the state seat of Lismore, a seat they very nearly lost to the Greens at the last election,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens agriculture and rural affairs spokesperson.