Liberal senators are seeking an independent review of proposed new laws to protect religious freedoms.

The contentious religious discrimination bill passed through the lower house overnight with amendments put forward by Labor.

Five Liberal MPs voted against the government to support the changes.

But Senator Anne Ruston told Neil Breen the impact of those amendments must not be overlooked.

“We don’t support the amendment because we do believe it will have significant impacts,” she said.

“We need to make sure we handle these issues very, very sensitively.

“That’s why the government was keen for the Australian Law Reform Commission to undertake a really thorough investigation: to make sure the sensitivity of all the various issues were taken into consideration before we legislated.”

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Image: Nine News