NSW GLRL

New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby

Archive Article

Background to the bill

1984The 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.
1988On 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.
1997The 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
1999Jan 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
2001The 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.
2002For 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: