Boscutti Report — Tanya Plibersek

SYDNEY (Boscutti Report) — Labor Deputy Tanya Plibersek has promised to stand firmly behind Labor Leader Bill Shorten. Ms Plibersek said the Labor communications team had coached her to stand about a metre behind Mr. Shorten at all upcoming press conferences. ‘I was told to stand directly behind Bill’s left shoulder with both feet on the ground,’ she said. ‘I’m allowed to nod my head gently from time to time but only after Bill has spoken.’

MELBOURNE (Boscutti Report) — Labor has “no plans” to change religious exemptions in discrimination law that allow religious schools to fire teachers based on their voting preferences. Labor Deputy Tanya Plibersek did not rule out a future Labor government considering such changes, but said her comments on Sunday indicate the opposition will defend the status quo during the Ruddock religious freedom review. Religious schools are currently exempt from federal discrimination law in relation to employment and provision of education in accordance with their beliefs. Similar exemptions exist in state discrimination laws.