Where the parties stand on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues for the Queensland 2012 election.

1. LGBT election
issues
Where the parties stand for
the Queensland election

2. Produced by
Healthy Communities
from responses to an LGBT
election issues survey.
healthycommunities.org.au

3. Queensland Labor Party
TRACK RECORD
Labor has reformed various laws affecting LGBT people,
including:
• decriminalising homosexuality
• introducing anti-discrimination legislation
• extending the presumption of parenthood in same-sex
headed families
• recognising de-facto same-sex couples
• altruistic surrogacy, and
• introducing Civil Partnerships.

4. Queensland Labor Party
FUTURE PLANS
While no new plans for the LGBTI community were announced in
the election period, there are a number of previously
announced or initiated activities that would continue,
including:
• amending the 'gay panic defence' laws
• reviewing the anti-discrimination legislation
• continuing Civil Partnerships
• continuing the LGBTI Roundtable, and
• new funding to Open Doors youth service of $150,000 over 3
years.

5. Queensland Labor Party
COMMENT
Labor have shown a good commitment to law reform over the
years, although there is still more to do (e.g. age of consent).
Labor has also shown a good commitment to HIV services, with
a very good strategy in place (although this has now been
allowed to lapse).
Work to address other LGBT health and wellbeing issues has
been slower to develop, with most progress being made in
their last term, particularly the LGBTI Roundtable and its
activities.

6. Liberal National Party
TRACK RECORD
Being out of government for 20 of the past 22 years
means there is little track record on LGBT issues for
the LNP.
In 1997 they established the LGBTI Police Liaison
Officers scheme and Anti-Discrimination
Commission Qld (although Labor introduced the Anti-
discrimination Act 1991).
Most recently they voted against Civil Partnerships and
altruistic surrogacy.
The current Shadow Minister for Communities, Fiona
Simpson has previously spoken in support of
Exodus, an organisation that claims to "cure"
homosexuality.

7. Liberal National Party
FUTURE PLANS
The LNP have said they will look to repeal Civil Partnerships, but
that it may not be possible and they will not leave people in
limbo.
They will consider changes to laws relating to unwanted sexual
advances (“gay panic” defence).
They will look at how to expand the effectiveness of school
based programs tackling racism to cover the broad diversity of
discrimination.

8. Liberal National Party
COMMENT
The LNP has few specific or targeted initiatives for the LGBT
community, rather focusing on working ‘for all
Queenslanders’, which we hope includes LGBT people.
Their intention to repeal Civil Partnerships has left many feeling
fearful about what else might be wound back.
It is not clear if existing initiatives (e.g. LGBTI Roundtable) would
continue under an LNP government.
The LNP will need to work hard to build the trust and confidence
of the LGBT community.

9. Queensland Greens
TRACK RECORD
Not having a Member of Parliament in
Queensland means there has been
little opportunity for the Greens to
develop a track record on LGBT issues.
However they have had a specific LGBTI
policy at the last few elections and
have been active in other states and
territories and nationally on LGBTI
issues.

10. Queensland Greens
FUTURE PLANS
The Greens did not return our election survey but has an LGBTI policy which includes:
• commitments to equality of access to adoption
• amending the criminal code so that non-violent sexual advances do not constitute
a defence of provocation
• equal age of consent
• state documents reflecting a person’s chosen gender
• expanding the LGBTI Roundtable to whole of government
• increasing numbers and role of LGBTI police liaison officers
• funding for anti-violence campaigns
• establishing a peak body for LGBTI organisations
• funding for a state-wide LGBTI mental health service, and
• access to appropriate medical procedures and counselling for transgender and
intersex people.

11. Queensland Greens
COMMENT
The Greens have been a long term supporter of LGBT issues and
have initiated important reforms in other states and
nationally.

12. Bob Katter’s Australian Party
TRACK RECORD
Bob Katter is well known for comments against the LGBT
community, and most recently a widely condemned
homophobic advert.
The current Australian Party member of Queensland Parliament
and state leader, Aidan McLindon has used
LGBT issues, particularly rip&roll, to create
controversy.
Mr McLindon also voted against Civil Partnerships
and Altruistic Surrogacy.

13. Bob Katter’s Australian Party
FUTURE PLANS
The Australian Party did not return our election survey. They
have publicly announced that they would repeal Civil
Partnerships.

14. Bob Katter’s Australian Party
COMMENT
The leadership of Katter's Australian Party do not to support
LGBT issues and indeed will work against our interests.
Some individual candidates have however spoken in support of
LGBT issues and against their leadership's stance (e.g. the
homophobic advert).

15. Who are we?
Healthy Communities promotes the health and
wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender Queenslanders.

16. Who are we?
For more information on Healthy Communities’
work, visit healthycommunities.org.au or find
us on social media.