I am disappointed that the government has again postponed my LGBTIQA+ Equality Bill. The reforms are urgently needed to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people, which NSW Health, the NSW Advocate for Children and Young Persons and the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes found are suffering due to sanctioned discrimination. The delay means private schools and education institutions will continue firing staff and expelling students for being LGBTIQA+; trans and gender diverse people won’t have accurate and consistent ID; children born out of overseas commercial surrogacy won’t have their parents recognised by the law; and sex workers’ lives and families will continue to come under the threat of criminalisation.

I have been briefing cross party members and working in good faith with the government to find common ground. Providing dignity, support and respect to LGBTIQA+ people and their families shouldn’t be controversial and I have again asked the government to work with me. I believe there is strong support for the bill across the parliament and I am hopeful that we will achieve progress.

My speech: HERE