Senators passed the Human Rights Amendment Act 2006 yesterday, however, an Independent Senator asked why the controversial topic of discrimination based on sexual preference has still not been addressed. was the only Senator during the second reading of the Human Rights bill to refer to gay rights.

?The changes will improve the existing Act and everything that does that gets support,? Sen. Hughes said. ?Surprisingly while existing protection was being looked at, the opportunity was not taken to deal with sexual preference. It still sits out there. If it comes it won?t come on this bill.?

Sen. Hughes said discrimination against gays was still possible.

?It has been outstanding a long time,? he said. ?I look forward to addressing this at a future time.?

The bill was introduced by , who said it changed definitions of the Human Rights Act 1981 from ?respondent? to ?defendant? because ?defendant? was normally used in criminal proceedings and not civil cases.

Sen. Tyrrell said it also increased the grounds for harassment in the workplace to include discrimination based on race, colour, ethnicity, gender, marital status, disability, being born out of wedlock, religion, politics or having a criminal record.

Anyone prohibited from employment, housing, goods, facilities, contests, or membership in clubs or organisations for any of the above reasons would now be better protected by the Human Rights Commission, Sen. Tyrrell said. added protection against age discrimination was key.

Sen. Tyrrell replied Government had already began consultation about this ?topical issue? and the bill was passed.