Scott Morrison quoted the Bible as he personally introduced new religious discrimination laws that enshrine the right of faith schools to only hire teachers of the same religion.
The Prime Minister said Australians are worried about 'cancel culture in Australian life' and said the new laws would protect religious people from being 'fearful about what they believe'.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday morning, he quoted Ephesians Four from the New Testament, saying: 'Religion and faith is also about humility and vulnerability. It is about love. It is about compassion. It is about speaking the truth in love, as the scriptures say.'
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny sing during an Easter Sunday service at his Horizon Church at Sutherland in Sydney in 2019
Mr Morrison, an Evangelical Christian, rarely displays his faith publicly but has previously been seen singing at his Horizon Church in Sutherland, Sydney.
Mr Morrison said the bill 'seeks to protect people of faith from discrimination on the basis of their religion in daily life, including work, education, buying goods and services, and accessing accommodation.'
Supported by dozens of Coalition MPs sitting behind him, he told Parliament: 'A Sikh should not be discriminated against because of the turban they wear. Nor a Maronite because of cross around their neck. Nor a Muslim employee who keeps that prayer mat in the bottom drawer at their desk at work.
'Nor a Hindu couple who are seeking to rent a property. Nor a Jewish school, seeking to employ someone of their faith, if that faith is their preference and the publicly stated policy of their school.
'This bill ensures people can't be persecuted for moderately expressing a reasonable belief. What could be fairer than that?'
The law protects the existing right of religious schools to hire staff based on their faith as long as they publicly say they only want teachers of that religion.
It comes after Victoria proposed new laws that would take that right away except for hiring
