ALHR supports gay law reform in the Australian Capital Territory

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports proposals to recognise the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people in the ACT.

"International human rights standards recognise that all persons are equal before the law, and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law.” said ALHR President Simon Rice, representing 600 human rights lawyers across Australia.

“There are some 70 pieces of legislation that discriminate against GLBTI people in the ACT. Law reform is essential to remove that discrimination.”

The ACT Government has tabled a report to Parliament on discrimination and GLBTI people in the ACT, indicating that it will introduce legislation into the Legislative Assembly before the end of the year.

"The most significant reforms will be in the areas of adoption, artificial conception and surrogacy. When it comes to parenting, same sex relationships will be legally recognised in the same way as opposite sex partnerships" said Rice.

"Importantly, the reforms will also amend discrimination legislation to make it unlawful to vilify a person on the grounds of sexuality, transexuality or HIV/AIDS status. This is simply keeping up with other parts of Australia,” said Rice

The package will not include a process for same sex couples to register their relationships or enter into civil unions.

"The Government has proposed a further position paper on this issue. It is a key issue that should not slip off the law reform agenda. However, it is also important to fully explore the purpose and legal effects of registration".

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This page last updated 4th May 2004