Page 442 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 15 February 2017
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about the importance of equality and acceptance, we are sending a message to LGBTIQ Australians. The message is one of discrimination. We see the effects of this particularly in our young LGBTIQ Australians, who will continue to suffer unless our laws and attitudes move forward to welcome and support them for who they really are. Actions speak louder than words.
For these reasons, I am proud to be part of this ACT government, whose actions are leading the way on this important issue. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
At 10.31 am, the sitting was suspended until the ringing of the bells.
The bells having been rung, Madam Speaker resumed the chair at 10.48 am.
MS ORR (Yerrabi) (10.47): I rise to speak in support of this motion. This week I am especially proud to celebrate and recognise Canberra as Australia’s most LGBTIQ inclusive city and join with many of my colleagues in supporting the campaign for marriage equality. I am also proud to be a member of the ACT Labor government which continues to support the LGBTIQ community through the creation of the Office for LGBTIQ Affairs, the implementation of laws which remove discrimination and recognise the love shared by all Canberrans, the commitment to continue funding for the safe schools program to ensure Canberra students feel safe and valued regardless of their gender or sexuality, and our ongoing support of LGBTIQ organisations and events.
It is clear that the ACT government is leading the way in supporting the LGBTIQ community. We are very lucky to live in a city full of a vast array of cultures, beliefs and identities. However, it is important to recognise that this is not just due to luck. It is because of the way that progressive Canberrans have rallied together over many years in the fight to create a fairer and accepting city that we can all be proud of.
Government has a big role to play in protecting all members of the community. The Labor government has continued to push the need for the equal treatment of all Canberrans, whether it is in the health, education, economic or social policy areas. A particular example is when the ACT made history in 2013 by passing marriage equality through this place. Despite the decision being overruled after a High Court challenge from the federal government, the ACT Labor government has continued to stand up to those conservative voices and defend the rights of same-sex couples and LGBTIQ people more broadly.
With the passing of the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill (No 3) yesterday, we have taken a further step towards creating a truly equal Canberra. The amendments made to the Civil Unions Act 2012 allow for the automatic recognition of same-sex relationships that are formally recognised in other jurisdictions as civil unions.
Although many of us would prefer to see the law reflect the opinion of the 77 per cent of Australians who support marriage equality, the ACT obviously does not have the power to make the necessary legal changes. For this reason we, as elected
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