Equality advocates have called on Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese, to re-instate Labor’s LGBTI equality portfolio after the position was dropped from Labor’s front bench.

 

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

 

“The LGBTI equality portfolio has been crucial to improving Labor’s LGBTI policies and setting a higher standard on LGBTI issues more broadly.”

 

“Without it, there will be poorer outcomes for LGBTI people.”

 

“We call on Anthony Albanese to reinstate the portfolio and re-install former LGBTI equality spokesperson, Louise Pratt.”

 

Federal Labor has had an LGBTI equality spokesperson since 2016. The inaugural spokesperson was Terri Butler followed by Louise Pratt. Labor retains LGBTI equality spokespeople at a state level. The recently-reelected Coalition Government does not have an LGBTI equality spokepserson.

 

Mr Croome dismissed Mr Albanese’s explanation for abolishing the portfolio.

 

Mr Albanese has said there is no equivalent position on the government’s front bench for Labor to shadow, and equality should be a priority for all shadow ministers.

 

Mr Croome said, “Labor made a big point about having a shadow minister for science when the Abbott Government failed to appoint one, so Labor can’t now use the Government’s poor form as an excuse”.

 

“The best way to ensure there is a Whole-of-Government focus on LGBTI issues is to have a front bencher whose job it is to maintain that focus.”

 

Some Labor figures believe the Party lost support among socially-conservative religious voters at the recent election, but there is no real evidence for this occurred or that it had an impact on the election outcome. 

 

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