Consistent with my strong belief in equality, I stand for the rights and interests of the LGBTQI+ people of Goldstein and Australia-wide.
At times, there have been divisive and hurtful things said and discussed in Federal Parliament under the guise of policy debate, so I want to make clear my stance on this theme.
My key federal priorities for these communities are:
- Robust protection of the rights of LGBTIQA+ teachers and children (and children of LGBTIQA+ parents) at religious schools and in health-care settings
- Enact laws at the Federal level outlawing ‘conversion’ practices based on current best practice (e.g., Victoria)
- This would involve the implementation of a Federally legislated ban on conversion therapy
- Audit all federal laws to ensure full coverage of all of LGBTIQA+
- Recognise and fill inclusion of LGBTIQA+ needs in services and research. This includes:
- Family, including intimate partner violence
- Emergency and crisis housing
- Aged care
- Mental health
- The position of a federal LGBTIQA+ Commissioner, within the Human Rights Commission, should be established in law, and an appointment made within a set period of no more than six months from the next federal election.
- I do not support the Morrison government’s Religious Discrimination Bill.
- I do not support the so-called Save Women’s Sport Bill to exclude trans women.
My general principles are as follows:
- The LGBTIQA+ communities are diverse and have diverse needs.
- Work on issues affecting one community must be led by individuals and organisations specific to those communities; other communities should be allies and be guided by that community.
- Progress for one or more communities is never to happen at the expense of one or more of the other communities.
- Issues should be resolved with full equality and respect resulting in agreed win-win solutions.
- Every Australian has a right to live without fear of discrimination, the right to establish a loving family, the right to bodily autonomy, and to live fully and achieve their potential as their authentic self with regard to their gender and sexual identity.
- As The Diversity Council states, ‘Although an incredibly important step for LGBTIQ+ equality in Australia, it’s important to recognise that marriage equality was not the final point in the fight for equal treatment for LGBTIQ+ before the law and in the workplace.
- ‘LGBTIQ+ people still experience harassment and discrimination at higher levels than the broader community, including at work.’
