Gay Today: World

Amnesty International Cites
Discrimination in Australia

Compiled By GayToday

Australia is as guilty as many other countries when it comes to discrimination against citizens on the basis on sexuality, says the Australian Democrats.

As part of its' campaign against torture, Amnesty International has released its report; "Crimes of Hate, Conspiracy of Silence," which condemns the persecution and violence experienced by gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people all over the world.

Speaking Out Against Discrimination in Australia: Justice spokesperson Senator Brian Greig says his country must do better at protecting the basic rights of its gay citizens

Democrats' Justice spokesperson, Senator Brian Greig, says torture is not only a matter of physical violence and persecution, but also the more insidious 'legal invisibility'.

"Torture is also about denying a person the basic rights to live their life as enjoyed by everyone else. This psychological torture is a reality for many Australians," Senator Greig said.

Australia does not have any national anti-discrimination laws to protect gay and lesbian people from harassment and discrimination, and has no laws at Commonwealth level to recognize same sex relationships.

"Psychologists have found that treating gay and lesbian people and same sex relationships as second class, odious, and without legal protections, contributes to high rates of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as youth suicide amongst a disproportionate number of gay and lesbian people.

"While the Democrats continue to pursue our Sexuality Discrimination (Private Member's) Bill to end all Commonwealth discrimination against gay and lesbian people and same sex relationships, our efforts have been repeatedly opposed by both the Coalition and Labor in the Senate," Senator Greig said.

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As recently as last week, both the Government and the Opposition voted against an amendment to a Bill which would have seen gay and lesbian people enjoy the same rights as other citizens with regard to an area of Commonwealth superannuation.

As explanation for the ALP decision, Opposition Leader in the Senate, Senator John Faulkner said:

"... I am advised by my colleagues that the position the Opposition will be taking in relation to these amendments is consistent with how we have approached these types of amendments previously, that the current definition of marital relationships has been supported by the Opposition." (Hansard 21/6/01)

"In other words, the ALP will not tackle the problems of sexuality discrimination for the purpose of superannuation, or for any other reason," Senator Greig said.