Media release

Sunday March 14th 2021

 

 

Following the WA Labor Government's thumping election victory, LGBTIQ advocates are seeking a meeting with Premier, Mark McGowan, to set a timetable for much needed law reform.

 

Just.equal WA spokesperson, Brian Greig, said,

 

“It has been 20 years since a WA Labor government addressed comprehensive LGBTIQ law reform and over the last two decades we have fallen well behind other states in a range of critical and emerging areas.  

 

"This includes issues like banning conversion practices, protecting teachers and school children from discrimination, allowing people who are transgender to arrange appropriate identity documents and legislating against unnecessary surgeries on intersex babies."

 

"Today, we have written to Premier McGowan seeking a meeting to discuss a timetable for reform and a commitment to progress a suite of legislative repair." 

 

In 2001, following a huge election win, Labor responded to long overdue LGBTIQ law reform with its ‘McGinty’ omnibus legislation under the previous Gallop government.

 

“Now is the time for ‘McGowan 2.0’ to build upon the McGinty reforms, and bring WA up to date in the post-marriage equality world of 2021."    

 

Mr Greig said that the fate of key candidates shows the WA electorate is ready for LGBTIQ+ reform.

 

"One of Labor's strongest LGBTIQ community allies, Terry Healy, received an unprecedented swing in his favour in Perth's southern suburbs, while Liberal candidate, Amanda Sue Markham, publicly linked to anti-LGBTIQ views during the election campaign, suffered a strong adverse swing."

 

"These results confirm the high Yes vote recorded by WA during the 2017 marriage postal survey."

 

"Clearly, the WA electorate wants our state to be an inclusive and equitable place for LGBTIQ people."

 

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here