As the Liberal Party amps up its opposition to Labor’s proposed consolidation of federal anti-discrimination laws, the union representing staff across the nation’s universities has said the laws do not go far enough to protect the LGBTI community from discrimination and, if passed in its current guise, will actually legislate for homophobia.

Following the death of his partner Anthony Smith last month, gay rights advocate Dennis Altman discovered that Victorian law denies him being recognised as Smith’s de-facto partner.