Western Australia to ban sexual discrimination in religious schools while retaining faith exemptions

Western Australia is set to overhaul its anti-discrimination framework by amending the Equal Opportunity Act, preventing religious schools from terminating staff or expelling students on the grounds of sexuality or disability. Attorney General Tony Buti clarified that the only retained exemption concerns religious doctrine, not sexual orientation. The legislation also broadens safeguards for groups such as the homeless, domestic-violence survivors, pregnant or breastfeeding people, and union participants.

The move follows earlier 2024 reforms that eliminated medical requirements for gender changes and dissolved the Gender Reassignment Board. Parents, including Felicity Creagh, who has two autistic children, expressed relief, citing stronger prospects for reasonable adjustments. Premier Roger Cook framed the initiative as a clear stance against hate, noting rising incidents of discrimination across the state. The bill is scheduled to be tabled in parliament on Wednesday.