WA: Tasmanias equality bill makes WA "most anti gay state"

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-1998
WA: Tasmanias equality bill makes WA "most anti gay state"

PERTH, Dec 4 AAP - Western Australia was poised to become the most anti-gay state in
Australia, after Tasmanias lower house last night passed a gay equality bill, an activist
said today.

The Tasmanian bill, which would outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,
received unanimous tripartite support.

Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) spokesman John Derry believed the bill would encounter no
obstacles in the legislative council.

"There is a good possibility Tasmanias upper house will allow the bill to become law," he
said.

If that happened, WA would be the only Australian state not to have outlawed discrimination
on the basis of sexuality.

"Many of us believe that Tasmania is the worst, but WA has, and continues to have, the most
anti-gay laws in the nation," Mr Derry said.

"Yesterdays vote cements this fact."

A private members bill to amend WAs Equal Opportunity Act and outlaw discrimination on
the basis of sexuality was to be considered by WA parliament next year.

AAP kbw/wjf/mk

KEYWORD: GAY WA

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