Coalition election commitments 'disappointing'

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.7.10

The Federal Coalition's response to the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group's election survey has been described as "disappointing".

In its response the Coalition says it
- recognises there may be a need for stronger national laws to stop discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, but does not commit to supporting these laws
- will seriously consider a report recommending the removal of discrimination against transgender and intersex people (although it mis-names the report), and
- supports the UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

However, the Coalition has ruled out allowing same-sex marriages or civil unions and have no plans to specifically address health problems or violence faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said overall the Coalition's response is disappointing.

"The Coalition has offered few concrete commitments to the GLBTI community and has failed to improve its GLBTI platform since the last election", Mr Croome said.

"This is a very disappointing response."

The TGLRG is yet to receive responses to its survey from any other party. All responses will be posted to www.movingforward.org.au, a website that was the Group's election site for five years before the slogan "Moving Forward" was adopted for the ALP 2010 election campaign.

The TGLRG will conduct an election forum for the GLBTI community in Hobart on Tuesday evening at which all political parties will be represented including the Liberal Party.

A copy of the Liberal election survey response can be found at:
http://www.movingforward.org.au/Tasmanian%20Gay%20and%20Lesbian%20Rights%20Group2010fed.pdf

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.