[Greens-Media] Anti-homophobia in schools: action needed to reform discrimination laws

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon Media Release 17 April 2008

Anti-homophobia in schools: action needed to reform discrimination
laws

Greens MP and gay and lesbian spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on
Premier Morris Iemma to close loopholes in NSW anti-discrimination laws
which still allow private schools to discriminate against students and
teachers because of their sexuality.

“The Greens welcome the support shown for anti-homophobia measures in
our public schools by the head of the NSW Education Department Michael
Coutts-Trotter," said Ms Rhiannon.

"Mr Coutts-Trotter's fine words need to be backed up by government
action to remove archaic loopholes that still allow discrimination in
private schools.

"The Education Director-General will look very foolish if the
government does not quickly move to legislate to stop discrimination
against gay and lesbian people that is happening in our schools.

“Two years ago Labor refused to support a Greens private members bill
to remove these outdated exemptions from the NSW Anti-Discrimination
Act.
 
“It is a nonsense to have one rule for public schools and another
rule for private schools. 

“The NSW Labor government has failed to clean up the NSW
Anti-Discrimination Act which allows private schools and small
businesses to discriminate against people because of their sexuality,
disability, gender, marital status and age.
 
“As the law currently stands a private school in NSW can legally
expel a student for being gay or lesbian or fire a teacher because they
are gay.
 
“Gay and lesbian students and teachers can find it tough going at
school and stories abound of continuing discrimination. 

“The Greens believe that these legal discrimination loopholes are
morally repugnant and go against the principles of inclusion and
equality on which anti-discrimination legislation was founded.

“The government's inaction in removing these exemptions, despite
recommendations from the Law Reform Commission in 1999 to do so, shows
it still fears the church and private school lobby which forced former
Premier Neville Wran to introduce the exemptions in 1977. 

"The government has no excuse not to change these outdated laws,”
said Ms Rhiannon.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au