The Australian Greens will today introduce legislation to create a dedicated LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Despite sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status being protected under Commonwealth anti-discrimination law since 2013, they remain the only protected attributes without a dedicated Commissioner.
“LGBTIQA+ Australians deserve the same level of protection and representation under federal law as other communities,” Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“This is about equality before the law in practice, not just on paper.
“Discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people should be treated with the same seriousness as discrimination against other protected groups.
“Anything less is a double standard.
“The Greens’ legislation would establish a dedicated Commissioner and require a merit-based appointment process with meaningful involvement from LGBTIQA+ civil society organisations.
“For more than a decade, community organisations, legal experts and advocates have called for this reform. The Greens are turning that consensus into action.
“This reform is ready to go. It should not be buried in another inquiry.
“LGBTIQA+ Australians deserve the same institutional protection, visibility and respect that Parliament already affords to others.”