Gay rights group Australian Coalition for Equality has welcomed Labor’s election victory this week. Labor candidate Kevin Rudd defeated incumbent John Howard in the election for Prime Minister, and Labor picked up seats in both houses of Parliament. The Australian Labor Party has promised throughout the year to change the 58 federal laws identified by the Human Equal Rights and Opportunities Commission in their Same Sex: Same Entitlements report earlier this year and eliminate discrimination on the federal level against same sex couples. This platform consistently earned Labor better election scorecard marks then Liberals, who said they would consider changing legislation on a case by case basis.
The election may also mark a shift in leadership within the Liberal Party. Malcolm Turnbull had emerged as a potential leader within the party. Turnbull, whose electorate occupies one of Sydney’s ‘pink’ districts that includes uber-gay Darlinghurst, is known for advocating for reform, including superannuation changes in the last election. However, he, like his party, has drawn criticism for giving preference votes to Family First and Christian Democrats over the Greens and Labor.
The Australian Coalition for Equality said the election a Labor Government opens up greater possibilities for GLBTI law and policy reform.
Spokesperson, Rod Swift, said that ACE will work to ensure Labor acts as quickly as possible to implement its commitment to the removal of discrimination against same-sex couples in most national laws.
‘Australia has fallen far behind other western countries and now it’s time for us to catch up’, Mr Swift said.
‘As soon as a new Attorney-General is appointed we will seek a meeting to set a timetable for reform.’
Mr Swift said ACE is also keen for the new Government to establish formal liaison with the GLBTI community to oversee policy reforms in areas like education and health.
‘We want to ensure that Labor’s focus on health and education extends to removing discrimination against sexual and gender minorities in the nation’s class rooms and medical services.’
‘Our job will be to keep Labor to its promises, and to ensure it fulfills the great hopes it has raised for reform.’
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