Backbencher wants religious bill scrapped

Conservative Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells wants the government's proposed religious discrimination bill axed.

"I have come to the conclusion that no bill is better than this flawed bill," Senator Fierravanti-Wells told Nine newspapers.

The draft laws are aimed at protecting people of faith from discrimination, but do not create a freedom of religion.

The NSW senator has been a strident supporter of the bill, but has frequently raised concerns, saying on Wednesday the bill didn't go far enough.

She has suggested beefing up antidiscrimination laws and coordinating a national approach between states and territories.

Business and community groups have criticised the proposed legislation, saying it gave religious organisations too much freedom to discriminate.

It also would allow hospitals to hire on religious grounds, as well as allowing health practitioners to object to procedures and pharmacists to avoid dispensing contraception on religious grounds.