Anti-Discrimination and Identity Law Changes for LGBTQ People and Faith-Based Groups
Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023
Independent BillLegislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
anti-discrimination birth registration gender identity human rights LGBTIQA+ sex characteristics sex work surrogacy
Introduced by: Alex Greenwich MP (IND); The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Susan Carter LIB
“I lead for the Opposition in debate on the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 and indicate at the outset that the Opposition does not support the bill. That is not because the Opposition is unsympathetic to its aims. Any legislation with the purpose of advancing equality for LGBTIQA+ persons in New South Wales is laudable and deserves careful consideration.”
Daniel Mookhey ALP
“I make a limited contribution to the second reading debate on the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 because, by the grace of those opposite, my ministerial duties mean that I will be paired and not in a position to formally register a vote on the bill. However, I want to put on record my support for the bill and for the efforts that led to it.”
Amanda Cohn GRN
“As The Greens spokesperson for LGBTQIA+ in New South Wales, I am proud to stand with diverse communities across the State today in support of the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTQIA+) Bill 2023. The diverse LGBTQIA+ communities of New South Wales and Australia have a proud history of solidarity.”
John Ruddick LIBT
“The Libertarian Party opposes the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023. I say at the outset that in the rich tapestry of life, and in every culture, a very small number of people do find themselves with an urge to identify with a gender that is contrary to the gender that God or Mother Nature gave them at birth.”
Abigail Boyd GRN
“I contribute to debate on the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 to express my support for the bill and to wholeheartedly support the comments of my colleague Dr Amanda Cohn, who I thank for her advocacy and for her heart in this matter. When Dr Amanda Cohn takes on any issue, she does it to the absolute best of her ability.”
“I contribute to debate on the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 on behalf of the Legalise Cannabis Party. At the outset I acknowledge that the issues are well ventilated, and the reforms are overdue, so I will make my contribution brief.”
Emma Hurst AJP
“I speak in support of the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023. I am grateful to be in Parliament to witness the passing of such historic legislation. I note that we are yet to vote, but I say "passing" because the bill must pass. The LGBTIQA+ community deserves every protection that is laid out in the bill and more.”
Rachel Merton LIB
“I speak in strong opposition to the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023. The entire process that the Government has followed in relation to the suddenly amended bill has, quite frankly, been appalling and disingenuous. It has caused grave concern in the community. The Government and the member for Sydney have not acted in good faith.”
Jacqui Munro LIB
“The Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 is not a perfect bill. Some say it goes too far. Others, including 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe, say it does not go far enough. The process of the bill coming to Parliament has been far from perfect.”
Rod Roberts IND
“I contribute to debate on the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 and say from the outset that I do not support the bill. Much has already been said by others, so I am going to limit my remarks to the concerns I have surrounding the area of sex self-identification and the real-world implications of that for vulnerable women and girls.”
Penny Sharpe ALP
“It is not always an easy debate to listen to, but I acknowledge that people have deeply held views, and I do not think anyone has bad intent in the way they think about this. We disagree, but we are allowed to disagree with each other, and we move on. I will briefly address some of the matters raised during the debate.”
News articles and press releases
Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023
Mr ALEX GREENWICH, Member for Sydney — 2023-08-24
The Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 and the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023 will remove discrimination embedded in law and strengthen protections for LGBTIQA+ people. The bills amend 22 existing Acts and create a new Act. Reforms follow best practice in other States and Territories.