Equality Tasmania has welcomed the state Custodial Inspector’s concern about the safety of LGBTIQA+ people in Tasmanian prisons. In a statement released today the Inspector, Richard Connock, wrote, “Members of the LGBTIQA+ community are particularly vulnerable in prison environments. Sadly, following the inspection, we observed evidence of two serious assaults on gay men by other people in custody occurring […]
Category: Justice/Policing
TAS GOV HATE CRIME LAW COMMITMENT WELCOMED BUT FURTHER ACTION NEEDED
Equality Tasmania has welcomed the State Government’s decision to act allow harsher penalties for crimes against LGBTIQA+ people when they are motivated by prejudice, discrimination and hatred, but has called for more to be done to prevent such crime. Today, Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, announced he will draft legislation implementing the Sentencing Advisory Council’s recommendation to […]
TAS GOV SUPPORTS FINANCIAL REDRESS FOR THOSE CONVICTED UNDER FMR ANTI-LGBTIQA LAWS
The Tasmanian Government has given its support for financial redress for those people convicted under the state’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing. In September the state’s Lower House voted for a Greens’ redress scheme against the Government’s wishes. But ahead of debate in the Upper House the Government joined Labor, the Greens and Independents […]
TAS LOWER HOUSE SUPPORTS FINANCIAL REDRESS FOR VICTIMS OF FORMER LAWS AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY AND CROSS DRESSING
Last night the Tasmanian Parliament’s Lower House passed the nation’s first financial redress scheme for those convicted under former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing. The scheme was introduced by Greens’ leader, Rosalie, Woodruff, and supported by Labor and independent MPs, during debate on Liberal Government legislation updating the state’s legislation allowing criminal records for homosexuality […]
Financial redress sought for historical anti-LGBTIQA+ convictions
The Tasmanian Government has ignored calls to provide financial redress for people convicted under the state’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing, prompting Equality Tasmania to say it will seek a redress provision when the bill is debated. The Government today introduced a bill updating 2017 legislation that allows people convicted under Tasmania’s former laws […]
TAS GOV’T REFUSES FINANCIAL REDRESS FOR VICTIMS OF FMR ANTI-GAY & ANTI-TRANS LAWS
CALL ON LABOR, GREENS AND INDEPENDENTS TO ENSURE JUSTICE IS DONE Equality Tasmania has called on Labor, the Greens and independents to support financial redress for victims of the state’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing after the State Government refused. Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, has introduced updates to legislation that allows victims of the former laws to […]
LEGAL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS SUPPORT REDRESS FOR HISTORICAL GAY AND TRANS CONVICTIONS
Tasmanian community and legal groups have united in support of financial redress for those convicted under Tasmania’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing. The Tasmanian Council of Social Services, Tasmania’s Community Legal Services, the Tasmanian Women’s Legal Service and Equality Tasmania have all called for the reform “to rectify past injustice” In an article in […]
Advocates to push for gay conviction compensation as State Gov’t balks
Equality Tasmania has welcomed a State Government bill improving 2016 legislation that allows for historical gay and transgender criminal records to be expunged. But the group says the bill does not go far enough because it does not allow for compensation as recommended by the independent review that is the basis of the new bill. […]
REVIEW TO HEAR CASE FOR TOUGHER HATE CRIME PENALTIES
Equality Tasmania has welcomed a review of Tasmania’s hate crime laws with a view to tougher penalties if crime is motivated by anti-LGBTIQA+ hate. Currently, penalties for hate-motivated crimes can only be tougher if racial hatred is involved. The Sentencing Board has proposed this be extended to include prejudice and hatred on the basis of […]
EQUALITY TASMANIA WELCOMES NATION-LEADING ANTI-NAZI LAW
Hopes long history of Nazi attacks on state’s LGBTIQA+ community will end Equality Tasmania has welcomed the passage of an anti-Nazi law that is the best in the nation. Equality Tasmania president, Rodney Croome, said, “LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians have been subject to harassment from Nazi sympathisers using Nazi symbols at least since the 1970s.” “Harassment using […]