Gay law reform bill passed

HOBART -- A gay law reform bill introduced by the Tasmanian Greens was passed in the House of Assembly here on May 23. If passed by the Legislative Council, the bill will mean the end of Tasmania's discriminatory laws against most gay men. The council, however, appears to be split on the issue with many MLCs still opposed to reform while others are calling for a referendum on the issue.

This is the Greens' second attempt to get the bill passed. Unlike in 1994, it was supported this time by the ALP and three Liberal MPs, who crossed the floor to vote for it. Labor forced an amendment to the bill which still makes it a criminal offence for men under the age of 17 to have anal sex.

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