NSW GLRL – the lobbying continues

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) farewells the state Labor Government and NSW’s first female premier, Kristina Keneally, and welcomes the new Coalition Government and Premier Barry O’Farrell.

The GLRL recognises the significant reforms implemented under the NSW Labor Government. These reforms included recognising same-sex de facto couples, equal age of consent, recognising lesbian co-mothers, introducing a relationships registry scheme, same-sex couple adoption equality and proposing and funding the Proud Schools initiative.

We thank the Labor Government for working with the GLRL to promote greater equality and social justice for lesbians, gay men and their families.

We look forward to building on and developing solid working relationships with Premier O’Farrell, his Cabinet and policy advisors.

The GLRL acknowledges that the recent reforms to adoption and surrogacy were only possible because of Coalition MPs. We urge the new Government to maintain reforms introduced under the Labor Government and to continue to implement reforms to advance the legal and social standing of sexual and gender minorities in NSW.

In our pre-election survey, the Coalition indicated commitments “to being a government that strengthen people’s choices, opportunities and freedoms” and “believe that the interests of GLBT people in NSW are the concern of every minister”.

However, the Coalition stated they did not intend to remove or narrow exemptions available to faith-based organisations in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act and the Adoption Act that permit organisations to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Coalition also did not commit to reviewing the recent reform to NSW surrogacy law.

We will continue to lobby the new Coalition Government on the need to introduce provisions to ensure that all children, regardless of their family structure, have the benefit of legally recognised parents and to ensure all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are protected against unfair discrimination, particularly by Government-funded service providers.