Page 91 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Minister for Sport and Recreation) (4.59): I am very happy to have the opportunity to address this important issue in the Assembly this afternoon. As I have said on a number of occasions, it is up to each of us. If we are not consciously taking steps forward to strive for equality in our community, the impacts on women, transsexual, intersex and gender diverse people in particular can be significant. These groups of people can be overlooked during the making of policy, and subsequently this can lead to backward steps for many. Clearly, this is not the outcome that we are seeking. In fighting for equality, the government has achieved a great deal already, but if we are honest, we know, each of us knows, that there is still much work to be done.
Historically, legal regulation in Australia and other Western nations has operated on the premise that all people are, categorically, either male or female. Given the realities of human biology and identities, the most productive framework for use by the ACT legislature and ACT policymakers is one that acknowledges the continuums of biological sex and of gender identity, thus accurately reflecting the reality of the human condition. The ACT government’s recognition of LGBTIQ people comes in many forms and includes consideration of sex and gender diversity, looking beyond the binary when developing legislation and policy. This is critical to ensuring the legal recognition of, and protection for, gender diverse Canberrans.
The ACT government has made a number of legislative changes that aim to remove discrimination from our legislative framework and improve legal recognition of, and protection for, gender diverse Canberrans. This includes introducing recognised details certificates, which set out personal information, including gender, and allow for intersex, transgender and gender diverse people who are residing in the ACT, who were not born here, to have their gender identity officially recognised in the same way as people who are born here in the ACT; giving parents greater choice as to how they are referenced on their child’s birth certificate; providing flexibility in documenting name changes; and allowing for proof of identity cards to assist people who do not have other forms of identity and where a proof of age card is not appropriate.
The ACT government’s continued aim is to achieve, so far as possible, equal legal status for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people by eliminating discriminatory references in ACT legislation. Members will recall that the ACT government recently established the office of LGBTIQ affairs and the LGBTIQ ministerial advisory council. This group provides direct advice to the Chief Minister, and is made up of diverse Canberrans who assist the government in developing and implementing policies that support the LGBTIQ community and improve the lives of people who identify as LGBTIQ and promote an inclusive Canberra.
As Minister for Women, I have made a very vocal commitment to valuing and investing in women and girls, and promoting and safeguarding the freedoms and rights necessary for them to participate in all areas of Canberra life. Considering gender when developing legislation and policy is key to addressing gender inequality and promoting the needs of women and girls in the ACT.
The government’s triple bottom line assessments have been a standing requirement for preparing most types of cabinet submissions, including budget submissions, since 2013. This process is designed to identify and integrate social, environmental and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video