Media Release
Thursday August 4th 2022
 
Disappointment as Labor blocks Senate inquiry into LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner
 
Labor has used its numbers in the Senate to block a Greens' inquiry into reform of the Australian Human Rights Commission, including the appointment of an LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner.
 
Just.Equal Australia has described Labor's vote against an inquiry as “very disappointing.”
 
Spokesperson, Brian Greig said,
 
“Just.Equal has been urging the Federal Government to appoint an LGBTIQA+ Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission for many years."
 
“The absence of a federal LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner is one of the greatest weakness in Australia’s anti-discrimination framework."
 
“An inquiry could have considered the best way to ensure the AHRC protects LGBTIQA+ human rights, including the appointment of a stand-alone Commissioner."
 
Mr Greig said Labor's vote against an inquiry directly contradicts its support for an LGBTIQA+ Commissioner in its 2016 election platform
 
“We have written to Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, asking him to explain whether Labor is still committed to an LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner, if not why not, and if so, when it intends to act."
 
For a copy of Just.Equal's correspondence: https://ymlp.com/zHfybOOy 
 
 
For a copy of this statement on the web click here
For more information contact Brian Greig on 0407 776 961.