The Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes made damning findings about the way suspected homicides motivated by hate and prejudice were dealt with between 1970 and 2010. Homophobia, transphobia and indifference among police left many crimes ignored or barely investigated. For many, justice was never delivered and trauma for families, loved ones and the wider LGBTIQA+ community endured.

I worked to get this inquiry because it is important to right past wrongs and because it provided an opportunity to address systemic discrimination. The final report made extensive recommendations for NSW Police and in Parliament I asked the Minister for Police to act on all recommendations. The minister acknowledged that improvements are needed and said that NSW Police has established an internal working group to address recommendations and report on progress.

The report made it clear that poor policing was supported by laws and culture that promote discrimination and my Equality Bill will end discrimination in New South Wales law.

My question and the minister’s response > HERE.

On Friday I spoke at the Lord Mayor’s LGBTIQA+ Safety Summit where a number of issues and priorities were raised that both the Lord Mayor and I will continue to work on to improve community Safety.