New Protections for Orientations

Minister Mark Butler

The Gillard government has introduced the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity an Intersex Status) legislation and passed it through the lower house.

If successfully passed though the upper house, the legislation will make it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the reforms were long overdue and commented,

““The absence of these protections at the Federal level means that many members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community have been victims of discrimination when accessing accommodation, healthcare, and everyday consumer services.”

The Attorney-General also announced that the government would look to move an amendment to the bill in the senate to insert a qualification on the exception on the exemption for religious organisations for the provision of Commonwealth-funded aged care services.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler (pictured), said the amendment would ensure older people would not need to worry about discrimination when accessing aged care services and expressed the view that if providers are receiving tax payer dollars, it is not appropriate to discriminate.

OIP Staff

Related Stories

28-02-13   Liberal MPs Want LGBT Retirees To Go Elsewhere

16-01-13   Gillard to Protect Discrimination in Religious Institutes