Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has declared Labor's support for laws to enshrine stronger religious discrimination protections, but only if the Coalition agrees to overhaul its attempt to legislate the changes.
Mr Albanese delivered a speech to parliament on Wednesday evening addressing the Morrison government's controversial religious discrimination bill, describing the response as "simply not good enough."
He has vowed his party's support for the laws will be conditional on a series of amendments - including establishing stronger protections for transgender students.
"We will insist on them [the amendments] because this legislation needs to be improved," he told the parliament.
"We must change this bill - all Australians deserve nothing less."
Labor's demands include amending section 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act to protect students on the grounds of both sexuality and gender identity.
The push is significant as the Coalition has only committed to amending these laws for same-sex attracted students who faced expulsion, but not further.
This has prompted concern transgender students could continue to face discrimination because of a lack of protections.
Mr Albanese accused the Coalition's response of leaving "many young people exposed to discrimination."
"This parliament shouldn't be making it harder for them. We should be protecting them," he said.
The Morrison government has said the Australian Law Reform Commission is reviewing additional changes to the Sex Discrimination Act that could address these concerns.
Labor's amendments would also aim to make clear a statement of belief clause does not remove existing state-based protections, as well as attempt to ban vilification on religious grounds.
It would also attempt to amend laws to prohibit discrimination in the provision of aged care services.
A Coalition party room meeting had supported amendments to the bill on Tuesday aimed at easing internal divisions over the laws from some Liberal moderates.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told collegues to remain united on the bill, warning their path to the election would be harder if they did not stick together on the issue.
He also said the proposal had been backed by many Australians, including ethnic and religious communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
But the fate of the contentious piece of legislation is far from certain.
Liberal MP Bridget Archer has said she will still cross the floor and vote against the bill, Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman has also said he will reserve his right to vote against the laws.
Ms Archer on Tuesday evening told parliament the bill would have "far-reaching unintended consequences", rasing concerns it could override existing state-based anti-discrimination protections.
"It's not okay to be cruel, offensive or humiliating just because you can say it with conviction or point to a religious text to back it up," she said.
Liberal MP Dave Sharma has also publicly expressed concerns over aspects of the bill, including how to grapple with gender identity concerns.
Ahead of a federal election, Labor has been forced to balance how to deal with its issues with the bill, while keeping voters of faith on side.
Mr Albanese has urged the government to engage with them on their proposed changes, describing this as a moment to "bend the arc of change towards justice".
But he said it would be unacceptable to support laws that risk enabling people to use their religion "as an excuse to be cruel and deny the rights of others."
"We surely should be able to do both to enhance protections against discrimination without enhancing discrimination against others," he said.
Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown said Labor's attempt to expand protections for students to include gender identity addressed a key concern, but teachers also needed to be considered.
"We are calling on the entire parliament to act immediately and protect all students and all teachers and staff of religious schools," she told reporters.
"No one should have to walk through the school gates with fear of discrimination."
Just.Equal Australia's Rodney Croome also said it appeared Labor's amendments could still threaten to "take away existing protections" in Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT for staff in faith-based schools and institutions.
Mr Albanese has indicated Labor would request the Australian Law Reform Commission separately investigate these concerns.
The religious discrimination bill seeks to enshrine stronger protections to make statements of belief, as well as giving employers of religious-based institutions the right to preference hiring people of their own faith.
The government is desperately trying to deliver the bill in the final sitting days of parliament before an election is held by May.
It was a key promise from the Coalition at the 2019 election.
