I welcome resolution of the 1988 murder of Scott Johnson.

This only occurred because of the determination of Scott’s brother Steve, who exposed systemic homophobia.

After many years of community campaigning for review of a period of brutal and cowardly attacks, NSW Police established Strike Force Parrabell to review 88 deaths between 1976 and 2000 that could have been gay hate crimes, finding 27 cases were gay hate murders and exposing anti-gay bias and failed investigations > HERE. It resulted in new data systems and positive cultural change programs within NSW Police. I commend Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell for his work on this project.

Following the Legislative Council Inquiry into Gay and Transgender hate crimes between 1970 and 2010 recommendation, the government has agreed to establish a judicial inquiry into unsolved cases of suspected gay and transgender hate crime deaths. The inquiry must get underway if these cases have a chance of an outcome.

ACON worked with the community to honouring the lives lost and recognise survivors of LGBTQ hate and violence with the Bondi Memorial in Marks Park > HERE.