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Anti-Discrimination Act


LGBTI Flags

Fake Feminists Who Play Footsies with Nazis to Gather on Parliament Lawns

The Presiding Officers of Tasmania’s Parliament have regrettably decided to allow an anti-transgender hate group to rally on Parliament’s lawns tomorrow.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  20 Mar 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

On International Day of People with Disability, Tasmania's Attorney General has Abandoned State's Disability Protections

Protections for people living with a disability are under threat from a High Court case with its origins in Tasmania.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  3 Dec 2021


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Citta Hobart Pty Ltd and Anor v Cawthorn Follow-up

We have here the notice of filing in the High Court of Australia lodged by Citta Hobart Pty Ltd and Anor.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Citta Hobart Pty Ltd and Anor v Cawthorn

This case, Citta Hobart Pty Ltd & Anor v Cawthorn, has huge implications for state anti-discrimination acts and the people they seek to protect.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Citta Hobart Pty Ltd and Anor v Cawthorn

In 2016, the Premier's Disability Advisory Council asked for a briefing from Treasury on the disability compliance in the Parliament Square precinct.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Nov 2021


Law Books

Attorney-General and Justice - Anti-Discrimination Act

The largest group of complaints under section 17(1) are on the basis of disability, something that's never mentioned by the federal government or the ACL.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Sep 2021


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Education - Discrimination

How many discrimination complaints have been lodged with Equal Opportunity Tasmania against the DoE or its teachers in the past 12 months, if any?

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


Law Books

Premier - Anti-Discrimination Act

Equality Tasmania held a protest over the Australian Christian Lobby's campaign to have section 17 of our gold standard Anti-Discrimination Act watered down.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


LGBTI Flags

Coroner's Office - Recognition of Legal Status of Relationships

In 2015 Mr Ben Jago was refused the status of senior next of kin by the Tasmanian Coroner, despite having that status under the Relationships Act.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Mar 2021


Multicultural, Hands on Hands

Compulsory Union Membership Motion

It is clear that there are overt efforts to make sure that people who work for the Labor Party are members of the Labor Party and members of a union.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Sep 2018


Preferential Voting, Ballot Paper

Tasmania Needs a Charter of Human Rights

The Greens will bring Tasmanian law into the 21st century and protect Tasmanian individuals and communities with a Charter of Human Rights.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Feb 2018


LGBTI Flags

Anti-Discrimination Act Amendments - Effect on LGBTI Community

There are real concerns about the harm the debate on this survey will have on LGBTI Australians, particularly young people.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Aug 2017


LGBTI Flags

Legislative Council Rejects Weakened Anti-Discrimination Laws

In a victory for a just, fair, kind Tasmania, the Legislative Council has rejected the Hodgman Liberals' divisive attempt to weaken the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Aug 2017


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Hodgman Government Caves to Extreme Right and Axes Safe Schools

The Hodgman Government's decision to scrap funding for the Safe Schools' program is a sure sign the Government has caved in to pressure from Senator Abetz.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Apr 2017


Blue Tier, Tasmanian Forest Agreement Forest

Liberals Cynically Delay Two Controversial Bills Hoping MLC Mix Will Change

Outside the Liberal Cabinet, there is almost zero support for these Bills and a high degree of understanding about the damage they could cause if passed.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  15 Apr 2017


LGBTI Flags

Hodgman Must Scrap Anti-Discrimination Act Changes

It is well past time for the Premier to step in and remove the Anti-Discrimination (Amendment) Bill 2016 from his government’s legislative agenda.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Nov 2016


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Liberals Cave to Extreme Right on Safe Schools

At their State Council meeting today, the Tasmania Liberals passed a Motion to abolish the Safe Schools program.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  5 Nov 2016


LGBTI Flags

Time for Liberals to Abandon Anti-Discrimination Changes

Only one of 80 submissions to government supported changes to the State's anti-discrimination law.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  20 Oct 2016


LGBTI Flags

Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill

First the Australian Greens and now federal Labor have vowed to block the plebiscite legislation being debated in federal parliament today.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Oct 2016


LGBTI Flags

Anti-Discrimination Act Changes Must be Ditched

The Anti-Discrimination Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 is still going through the second reading stages in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Oct 2016


LGBTI Flags

Liberal Government Removes 'Reasonableness' from Anti-Discrimination Laws in Favour of the Church

In the final draft amendments the word 'reasonably' was removed in relation to the exemption provided for religious purposes under the act.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  21 Sep 2016


Child, Shadow

Children and Family Violence

I thought I would take this opportunity, seeing these remarkable young women in the Chamber, to thank them so much for the work they do.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  20 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

Anti-Discrimination Act Changes are Dangerous

The exemption provided on religious grounds in the amendment Bill will send a dangerous message out into the community.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Sep 2016


Gender Equality

Hodgman Abandons LGBTI Tasmanians and other Groups to Risk of Hate Speech

The Premier demonstrated his weakness and the utter hypocrisy of his Party today.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  20 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

Sham Consultation on Anti-Discrimination Act Changes

We understand amendments to the State's anti-discrimination laws will shortly land in Parliament, after very little consultation.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

On RUOK Day Liberals Should Rethink Anti-Discrimination Act Changes

RUOK Day is an important reminder that reaching out to people in mental distress is something we can all do.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

Liberals Release Draft Amendments to Weaken Anti-Discrimination Act

The Liberal Government has released divisive, potentially dangerous and completely unnecessary proposed changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Aug 2016


Gender Equality

Changes to Anti-Discrimination Act Divisive

Current exemptions under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 apply to academic, artistic, scientific or research purposes or any purpose in the public interest.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Aug 2016


LGBTI Flags

Premier Letting Down Vulnerable Tasmanians with Anti-Discrimination Changes

Tasmania's equal opportunity commissioner believes your plan to weaken the Anti-Discrimination Act in the lead up to a possible plebiscite is excessive. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  17 Aug 2016


LGBTI Flags

Hodgman Confirms Plan to Weaken Anti-Discrimination Laws

Hodgman's proposed changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 are a sign of the power in the extreme Right in the Liberal Party and lobbying from the churches.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Aug 2016


LGBTI Flags

Liberals Set to Weaken Protection for LGBTI Tasmanians Pre-Plebiscite

The Premier is overseeing changes to the State's anti-discrimination laws that will weaken protections for LGBTI Tasmanians.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Aug 2016


LGBTI Flags

Unconvincing Anti-Discrimination Act Changes

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks, told Estimates today that there was no need for change.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  7 Jun 2016


Preferential Voting, Ballot Paper

Premier Flags Weaker Anti-Discrimination Pre-Plebiscite

The government has been lobbied by the Australian Christian Lobby to weaken protections in the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Jun 2016


LGBTI Flags

Greens Will Fight Weakening of Anti-Discrimination Act

The provisions in the Anti-Discrimination Act are reasonable and ensure Tasmanians are not subject to discrimination on the basis of their sexuality.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Nov 2015


Religion, Book

Liberals Risk Contravening Constitution Act

It is likely that the Tasmanian government’s Anti-discrimination Amendment Bill 2015 is in breach of the Tasmanian Constitution Act 1934.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  21 Apr 2015


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Anti Discrimination Act School Amendments Concerns

If religious schools use Mr Rockliff's blanket exemption to discriminate on religious grounds they should hand back every single dollar of government funding.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  19 Mar 2015