Religious discrimination bill passes lower house as five Liberal MPs cross the floor

An amended version of the federal government's religious discrimination bill has passed the lower house with Labor's backing after an all-night debate.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, 9 February, 2022. Source: AAP

The coalition government's religious discrimination laws have passed their first legislative hurdle, after Labor agreed to back them in the lower house while securing changes.

The religious discrimination bill passed in the early hours of Thursday morning by 90-6 following a mammoth debate in the House of Representatives which included objections from Liberal moderates and independent MPs as they sought amendments.

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