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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/02/labor-criticised-for-apparent-backtrack-on-stronger-lgbtq-legal-protections
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| Labor criticised for apparent ‘backtrack’ on stronger LGBTQ+ legal protections | Labor criticised for apparent ‘backtrack’ on stronger LGBTQ+ legal protections |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Draft changes to party’s platform replace commitment to strengthen laws with ‘almost meaningless’ clause to ‘develop policy’, advocates say | Draft changes to party’s platform replace commitment to strengthen laws with ‘almost meaningless’ clause to ‘develop policy’, advocates say |
| Labor has been criticised for proposing to ditch a commitment to strengthening legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community, with queer advocates saying the party appeared to have “backtracked”. | Labor has been criticised for proposing to ditch a commitment to strengthening legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community, with queer advocates saying the party appeared to have “backtracked”. |
| A consultation draft of changes to Labor’s national platform, released this week, proposes to remove a commitment from the 2021 platform to “strengthen laws and expand initiatives against discrimination, vilification and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics”. | A consultation draft of changes to Labor’s national platform, released this week, proposes to remove a commitment from the 2021 platform to “strengthen laws and expand initiatives against discrimination, vilification and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics”. |
| The LGBTQ+ advocate Alastair Lawrie noted the clause is to be replaced with “Labor will work closely with LGBTQ+ Australians and advocates to develop policy that meets the specific needs of the community to ensure equality with broader Australian society”. | The LGBTQ+ advocate Alastair Lawrie noted the clause is to be replaced with “Labor will work closely with LGBTQ+ Australians and advocates to develop policy that meets the specific needs of the community to ensure equality with broader Australian society”. |
| “This clause is so generic, and so bland, as to be almost meaningless,” he said. | “This clause is so generic, and so bland, as to be almost meaningless,” he said. |
| Lawrie noted the 2023 consultation draft retained a commitment against vilification, discrimination and threats of violence based on religion. Vilification covers inciting hatred in the public sphere. | Lawrie noted the 2023 consultation draft retained a commitment against vilification, discrimination and threats of violence based on religion. Vilification covers inciting hatred in the public sphere. |
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| Labor has stressed the draft is for consultation only and the platform will not be finalised until its conference in August, but advocates have raised the alarm. | Labor has stressed the draft is for consultation only and the platform will not be finalised until its conference in August, but advocates have raised the alarm. |
| Equality Australia’s chief executive, Anna Brown, said it was “disappointing that Labor appears to have backtracked” at a time of “horrifying public displays of anti-trans hate and an escalation in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence”. | Equality Australia’s chief executive, Anna Brown, said it was “disappointing that Labor appears to have backtracked” at a time of “horrifying public displays of anti-trans hate and an escalation in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence”. |
| “Many LGBTQ+ people face daily harassment, particularly online, simply for being who they are,” she said. “According to a recent study, one in three LGBTQ+ people had experienced verbal abuse while close to a quarter had experienced harassment such as being spat at or offensive gestures.” | “Many LGBTQ+ people face daily harassment, particularly online, simply for being who they are,” she said. “According to a recent study, one in three LGBTQ+ people had experienced verbal abuse while close to a quarter had experienced harassment such as being spat at or offensive gestures.” |
| Brown said “laws should protect all of us, equally” and LGBTQ+ people should get the “same protections as people of faith” including an anti-vilification clause. “I hope Labor’s final policy document reflects this”. | Brown said “laws should protect all of us, equally” and LGBTQ+ people should get the “same protections as people of faith” including an anti-vilification clause. “I hope Labor’s final policy document reflects this”. |
| Lawrie said it is “difficult to comprehend why previous ALP support for vilification protections has been axed in the current political climate”, pointing to anti-transgender activists and neo-Nazis rallying on the steps of Victorian parliament, Mark Latham, and escalating violent threats against local councils hosting drag storytime events. | Lawrie said it is “difficult to comprehend why previous ALP support for vilification protections has been axed in the current political climate”, pointing to anti-transgender activists and neo-Nazis rallying on the steps of Victorian parliament, Mark Latham, and escalating violent threats against local councils hosting drag storytime events. |
| The Greens MP and LGBTQA+ spokesperson, Stephen Bates, said there was a “complete culling” of commitments to the queer community, including on anti-vilification and protections of intersex people. | The Greens MP and LGBTQA+ spokesperson, Stephen Bates, said there was a “complete culling” of commitments to the queer community, including on anti-vilification and protections of intersex people. |
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| Bates said the government doesn’t appear to want to “win over progressives when it comes to issues like LGBTQ+ protections, it seems to me they’re willing to throw those under the bus to court the religious right”. | Bates said the government doesn’t appear to want to “win over progressives when it comes to issues like LGBTQ+ protections, it seems to me they’re willing to throw those under the bus to court the religious right”. |
| “Having this draft platform come out at this time, when the queer community needs the government to back them in and actually stand up for them – it could not be a worse time to do it. It’s completely bleak and cold.” | “Having this draft platform come out at this time, when the queer community needs the government to back them in and actually stand up for them – it could not be a worse time to do it. It’s completely bleak and cold.” |
| A spokesperson for the Labor party said: “Labor’s national conference will meet in Brisbane this August. | A spokesperson for the Labor party said: “Labor’s national conference will meet in Brisbane this August. |
| “National conference will update Labor’s platform to set out how the Albanese government will advance our agenda of fairness and create a better future for all Australians.” | “National conference will update Labor’s platform to set out how the Albanese government will advance our agenda of fairness and create a better future for all Australians.” |
| The spokesperson noted after submissions from branch members and affiliated unions, the conference of 400 delegates, Labor’s “highest decision-making forum”, will decide on the final wording of the platform. | The spokesperson noted after submissions from branch members and affiliated unions, the conference of 400 delegates, Labor’s “highest decision-making forum”, will decide on the final wording of the platform. |