Media Release
Sunday April 10th 2022
 
2022 FEDERAL ELECTION: ADVOCATES TO SEEK COMMITMENTS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION OVERRIDE
 
Tasmanian LGBTIQ equality advocates say their focus during the federal election will be to protect the state Anti-Discrimination Act from being weakened by Canberra, as well as appropriate funding for LGBTIQ mental health services. 
 
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said, 
 
“We will be seeking commitments from all candidates to vote against any federal intervention to weaken our gold-standard Anti-Discrimination Act as we saw with the current government’s Religious Discrimination Bill.” 
 
"Unfortunately, both major parties at a national level supported a federal override of Tasmania's discrimination laws, despite opposition from both major parties at a state level as well as community, union and business groups."
 
"We are determined this will never happen again."
 
“Another high priority for us is funding for programs to reduce the higher rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD and attempted suicide experienced by the LGBTIQ+ community due to stigma and discrimination.” 
 
Mr Croome said Equality Tasmania will be conducting two election forums, one in the south of the state and one in the north. 
 
The Religious Discrimination Bill was withdrawn before it could be voted through.
 
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.