1984 |
The NSW Government decriminalises homosexuality
by passing the Crimes (Amendment) Act 1984. However, the act introduces
sections 78G –T, which among other things, creates an unequal
age of consent for gay males in NSW. |
1988 |
On April 21 a community meeting resolves to re-establish
the Gay Rights Lobby as the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby. One of
the main concerns for the new organisation is the unequal age of
consent. |
1997 |
The Wood Royal Commission into Police Corruption
recommends in its final report that an equal age of consent of 16
be introduced into NSW law.
Jan Burnswoods MLC introduces the Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences)
Bill 1997 into the Legislative Council on 24 September 1997 with
the aim to equalise the age of consent. Due a lack of support, the
bill does not get passed to the Legislative Assembly.
A community rally, attended by thousands, was held outside Parliament
House on 22
October 1997 in support of the bill. |
1999 |
Jan Burnswoods re-introduces the Crimes Amendment
(Sexual Offences) Bill on 21 October.
On 23 November the bill is defeated by one vote in the Legislative
Council, after both parties take a conscience vote on the bill.
The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby continues to pursue an equal age
of consent as one
of its major campaigns. |
2001 |
The UNSW School of Social Work publishes “The
Age of Consent and Gay Men in New South Wales”, commissioned
by the GLRL to highlight the implications of the unequal age of
consent on young gay men. |
2002 |
For a third time, Jan Burnswoods introduces the
Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences) Bill on 29 August .
The GLRL launches it’s “DSCRMN8 – NSW THE LAST
STATE”, and “CRMNL 16” campaign, aimed at showing
the Premier and Attorney-General that the current laws are discriminatory
and unjust.
On 4 September, the Attorney General refers the Crimes Amendment
(Sexual Offences) Bill 2002 to the Standing Committee on Social
Issues with the following instruction:
That the Standing Committee on Social Issues inquire into and
report on:
- (1) the social and legal impact of the lowering of the age
of consent for homosexual
males to the same age which applies to heterosexual males and
females and
lesbians, and in particular, the lowering of the age of consent
for homosexual males
as proposed in the Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences) Bill 2002
introduced into
the Legislative Council on 29 August 2002; and
- (2) any related matter.
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