Media Release
Thursday September 11th 2025
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR HATE CRIME LAW PRAISED
FAMILY ACCESS TO CORONER REPORTS ALSO WELCOMED
Equality Tasmania has praised unanimous support in Tasmania’s Lower House for the passage of what it says are nation-leading new hate crime provisions.
Until now, stronger penalties only applied to crimes motivated by racial hatred, but the new provisions extend the potential for stronger penalties to a range of other attributes including sexual orientation and gender identity.
Also, the new provisions are the best in the nation and some of the best in the world when it comes to the evidence a court can consider when determining if a crime was hate motivated.
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,
“Unanimous support in Parliament for these provisions sends the message that hate-motivated crimes against LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians are as serious and as unacceptable as other forms of hate crime.”
“Too often courts are blind to the hatred behind attacks on LGBTIQA+ people, so we applaud the Government, Labor, the Greens and the independents for supporting the nation-leading provisions that will help courts determine when crimes are motivated by hate and prejudice.”
“To ensure these new provisions have their desired effect it’s important there is more training for police in identifying hate-motivated crime, and better data collection and evidence gathering at the time of the crime.”
“We will seek an opportunity to brief the Upper House on the need for the Government’s legislation in coming weeks.”
The new provisions passed with unanimous support in the Lower House and are likely to be debated in the Upper House later this month.
A statement from the Tasmanian Prejudice Related Violence Working Group, of which Equality Tasmania is a member, is attached. For the State Government media release, click here.
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Equality Tasmania also welcomed unanimous support in the Lower House for a new provision allowing bereaved families access to Coroner’s reports about their loved one’s death.
Mr Croome said,
“This new provision will ease the burden on bereaved partners and their families.”
“We congratulate Janet Rice and everyone else who has bravely advocated for this reform.”
“It is appropriate the provision was passed on the sixth anniversary of Penny’s death. Hopefully, it will come as consolation and closure for her family.”
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
