[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: 'Greens Welcome Passing of Expungement of Homosexual Offences Bill' (Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC)

[Matthew Hilton]

Media Release
23.10.14

Greens Welcome Passing of Expungement of Homosexual Offences Bill

Greens NSW MP and Sexuality & Gender Identity Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, welcomed the passing of the Criminal Records Amendment (Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill 2014. The bill amends the Criminal Records Act to enable certain convictions for various decriminalised homosexual sexual conduct offences to become extinguished.

Dr Faruqi said:

"This bill will go a significant way towards eradicating homophobia in our laws and our society. The Greens are very proud to be strongly supporting the bill.

"Today is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the LGBTI community and supporters who have been actively advocating for change and equality.

"As parliamentarians it is our duty not just to legislate for the future but to identify, correct, and learn from the mistakes of the past. It is shameful that an institution such as this would have, only 30 years ago, considered consensual homosexual acts to be criminal.

"The Greens are very happy and proud to support this bill, but we want to reiterate that we need to stamp out homophobia and transphobia in all our laws and policies, and push for international and interstate change too" she concluded.

Media Contact: Matt Hilton 0423 106 247