The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 (‘the Equality Bill’) has this afternoon released its Final Report with just one recommendation:
‘That the Parliament of NSW proceeds to consider the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023, including stakeholder input into this inquiry.’
Comments attributable to Alastair Lawrie, PIAC Director of Policy and Advocacy:
‘It’s disappointing the Parliamentary Inquiry didn’t offer its support for the Equality Bill but the release of its Final Report means it can now be considered by the Parliament.’
‘The onus is now on the NSW Government to support the Equality Bill in full.’
‘This is crucial legislation that will substantively improve the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual people across NSW.’
‘The Bill can achieve long-overdue reforms to the Anti-Discrimination Act, to finally protect bisexual, non-binary and intersex people against abuse and mistreatment, and to ensure LGBTQ students and teachers in all schools can learn and teach free from the fear of discrimination.’
‘It also includes vital reforms to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act to remove the requirement for trans and gender diverse people to have sterilising genital surgery just to update birth certificates to accurately reflect who they are. NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia where this barrier is still imposed.’
‘We don’t need to wait for the NSW Law Reform Commission to finish its broader inquiry into the Anti-Discrimination Act – these are straight-forward changes.’
‘As PIAC told the Inquiry, the Equality Bill’s reforms would merely bring NSW into line with existing laws in most other states and territories.’
‘We urge the Parliament to pass the Equality Bill as a matter of priority to help ensure all people in this state can live their lives free from discrimination, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.’
Media contact:
PIAC Media and Communications Manager, Dan Buhagiar: 0478 739 280