Rights lobby welcomes consultation on Labor's proposed anti-discrimination law
For immediate release: 12 July 2006
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) has welcomed the public consultation on Federal Labor’s draft Sexuality Discrimination Bill, released by shadow Attorney-General Nicola Roxon on Friday.
“Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination has long been a black hole in the Federal arena”, said spokesperson Gerard Brody. “This move to outlaw it is a very welcome initiative. It is vital to bring the protection of anti-discrimination laws to many marginalised people in our community.”
The VGLRL will discuss the proposed bill with its membership and the community over the coming weeks and provide feedback to the Federal ALP.
“From our first look, the proposed law looks very promising”, said Mr Brody. “It includes provisions prohibiting discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It further prohibits victimization of those who blow the whistle on discrimination. These provisions can send a strong message that lesbians, gay men, and people with transsexual and intersex conditions have an equal right to the fair go that Australians have always valued. They declare that homophobic violence and intimidation are unacceptable in Australian society.”
"Overall, the VGLRL endorses this positive step forward. However, we express our disappointment at the exemptions for religious bodies to discriminate in employment, education and accomodation on the basis of sexual orientation. The VGLRL also believes this bill is no substitute for formal legal recognition of same sex relationships. Relationship recognition for same-sex couples remains a glaring instance of legal discrimination on the basis of sexuality."
The VGLRL will lobby the Government to give the ALP private member’s bill a fair go in Parliament, and, if it passes, to resource the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) sufficiently to implement its provisions. “HREOC, which is already undertaking a groundbreaking inquiry into legislative discrimination against same-sex-attracted couples, needs to play an integral role in contributing to an anti-homophobic Australia through a robust implementation of the proposed law”, said Mr Brody.
The VGLRL calls for the Sexuality Discrimination Bill to be passed on a bipartisan basis. “The Prime Minister has repeatedly said he is opposed to discrimination. This bill gives the Government the opportunity to act on Mr Howard’s words by supporting Labor in prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
For further information, contact Gerard Brody on 0417 484 438.
For immediate release: 12 July 2006
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) has welcomed the public consultation on Federal Labor’s draft Sexuality Discrimination Bill, released by shadow Attorney-General Nicola Roxon on Friday.
“Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination has long been a black hole in the Federal arena”, said spokesperson Gerard Brody. “This move to outlaw it is a very welcome initiative. It is vital to bring the protection of anti-discrimination laws to many marginalised people in our community.”
The VGLRL will discuss the proposed bill with its membership and the community over the coming weeks and provide feedback to the Federal ALP.
“From our first look, the proposed law looks very promising”, said Mr Brody. “It includes provisions prohibiting discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It further prohibits victimization of those who blow the whistle on discrimination. These provisions can send a strong message that lesbians, gay men, and people with transsexual and intersex conditions have an equal right to the fair go that Australians have always valued. They declare that homophobic violence and intimidation are unacceptable in Australian society.”
"Overall, the VGLRL endorses this positive step forward. However, we express our disappointment at the exemptions for religious bodies to discriminate in employment, education and accomodation on the basis of sexual orientation. The VGLRL also believes this bill is no substitute for formal legal recognition of same sex relationships. Relationship recognition for same-sex couples remains a glaring instance of legal discrimination on the basis of sexuality."
The VGLRL will lobby the Government to give the ALP private member’s bill a fair go in Parliament, and, if it passes, to resource the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) sufficiently to implement its provisions. “HREOC, which is already undertaking a groundbreaking inquiry into legislative discrimination against same-sex-attracted couples, needs to play an integral role in contributing to an anti-homophobic Australia through a robust implementation of the proposed law”, said Mr Brody.
The VGLRL calls for the Sexuality Discrimination Bill to be passed on a bipartisan basis. “The Prime Minister has repeatedly said he is opposed to discrimination. This bill gives the Government the opportunity to act on Mr Howard’s words by supporting Labor in prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
For further information, contact Gerard Brody on 0417 484 438.
