Equality Tasmania has welcomed a new inquiry into discrimination and bullying in Tasmanian schools.

The inquiry was proposed by Independent, Kristie Johnston, and supported by Parliament without dissent.

Equality Tasmania President, Rowan Richardson, said,

“We welcome the inquiry because we regularly receive complaints of discrimination and bullying against LGBTIQA+ students and teachers.”

“This is consistent with recent national research showing school yard bullying is worse in Tasmania than any other state.”

“Although Tasmania has strong laws against discrimination in education, the state clearly has a long way to go before these laws are respected and abided by.”

During debate on the motion, Labor equality spokesperson, Ella Haddad, read out distressing stories of discrimination against LGBTIQA+ Tasmanian teachers and students.

Other supporters of the inquiry include Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Sarah Bolt, the Australian Education Union, Concerned Catholics of Tasmania, Disability Voices Tasmania and A Fairer World.

For more on bullying in Tasmanian schools: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australias-worst-state-for-schoolyard-bullying-and-how-we-compare-to-the-world/6dj396brd

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rowan Richardson on 0466 847 505 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.