Advance Australia, Fairer: A Submission to the Inquiry by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013

Abstract

The United Nations have placed pressure on Australia and other countries to support greater recognition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in direct federal legislative provisions. It is clear in the explanatory notes to the Amendment that the Australian Government is now aware that UN directives exist that should be reflected in Australian law. Whilst I officially note that a revised version of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 (which would incorporate the Senate Committee's recommended changes) would best meet current international human rights legislation standards, I advise the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee that the proposed Sex Discrimination Amendment would nevertheless greatly improve existing provisions. I recommend that the Committee strongly urge the Australian Government to advance beyond the proposal stage the 2012 Human Rights Bill or the 2013 Amendment Bill as soon as possible. ... The report concludes with a series of numbered recommendations reiterating the recommended changes to the Amendment Bill arising out of research, consultations, and consideration of international human rights polity.