The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) of NSW has expressed its disgust at the Howard Government’s decision to proceed with legislation to water down the Federal Sex Discrimination Act.

The Sex Discrimination Amendment Bill (No.1) 2000, designed to allow States to prevent lesbians and single women from accessing IVF/ART services, is being debated in the Government dominated House of Representatives today.

“Unfortunately, in a media release today, the Attorney General failed to address the core issue of why the Government is attempting to dilute the rights of women in this country and disregard safe health practice” said GLRL Convenor Katy Reade “Instead, he attempted to distract attention by referring to a dissenting report by one member of a Senate Committee.

The Attorney General’s release failed to mention however, that the majority of that six member Committee, which included three Liberal Senators, found the Bill to be defective in its content and contrary to the spirit of the Sex Discrimination Act and to Australia’s international human rights obligations.

“That Committee rightly recognised the discriminatory intention and effect of this Bill” said fellow GLRL Convenor Anthony Schembri. “It is a dangerous threat to Australia’s human rights record and undermines Australia’s reputation for treating all of its citizens equally,’

“The message has to be sent to our law-makers that the passing of this Bill would amount to a retrograde step for equal opportunity and anti-discrimination in this country.” Reade said. “Prejudice and ignorance should not be allowed to dictate who has access to services that enable women to receive treatment in a safe and supervised manner.”

The GLRL urged a broad cross section of community groups, health agencies and anti-discrimination organisations to join the GLRL in appealing to all Members of Parliament to accept the Senate Committee's report and reject the Bill outright.