rodney croome
PM Scott Morrison meets with faith leaders on ‘religious freedom’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has met with more than 20 faith leaders to discuss “religious freedom” and plans for a religious anti-discrimination bill. But LGBTIQ advocates have had to petition in a bid for government consultation on the legislation. On Monday, Jewish, Anglican, Uniting Church, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders gathered in Sydney to …
Liberal senator Eric Abetz calls for investigation into Israel Folau sacking
Liberal senator Eric Abetz wants an investigation into Rugby Australia’s sacking of Israel Folau as Coalition MPs push for “religious freedom” laws. Rugby Australia terminated Folau’s $4 million contract last month after an Instagram post claiming “hell awaits” gay people. Abetz asked the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission to investigate the decision …
‘Renewal begins with us’: The way forward under re-elected Coalition government
Rodney Croome is a long-time LGBTI equality advocate. As a strategist in numerous campaigns for equality, Rodney says our community can still make change and meet threats under the re-elected coalition government. I won’t sugar coat the election result: Australia has the most socially and religious conservative government in a generation. Many leading Liberal moderates …
Equality Tasmania points to way forward under Coalition government
Rodney Croome of Equality Tasmania offers hope for future LGBTIQ reform. He says that recent state reform sets a precedent for positive LGBTI law reform under the re-elected Coalition Government. Indeed, Tasmanian LGBTI equality advocates recently achieved the passage of landmark transgender laws through cross-party co-operation. “In Tasmania we have shown it is possible to …
Calls for Tasmanian Premier to stop election ads ‘demonising’ trans rights
Tasmanian transgender advocates have called on the state’s Premier to stop Upper House election ads that lump together transgender law reform and child abuse under the policy of “protecting your children”. Liberal candidate for the Upper House seat of Pembroke, Kristy Johnson, has published newspaper ads (pictured) that declare one of her three top priorities …
Brisbane election candidates to be grilled at Politics in the Pub forum
The five candidates vying for your vote in the seat of Brisbane are set to appear at an election forum early next month to talk politics ahead of the federal election. Hosted by Communify Queensland, the Politics in the Pub events are free, Q&A style debates held on a regular basis covering a wide range …
‘Shame, Sultan, shame’: Brisbane rally against Brunei’s anti-gay laws
The first Australian rally to protest new anti-gay laws in Brunei has been held in Brisbane opposite the Brunei-owned Royal on the Park Hotel. A group of around 100 people gathered in the City Botanic Gardens on Saturday afternoon chanted “Shame Sultan, shame” to protest the southeast Asian country’s introduction last week of the death …
Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemns Brunei’s anti-gay laws
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned the introduction of harsh new laws in Brunei targeting LGBTIQ people and other minorities. The laws were enacted in the southeast Asian nation last week imposing penalties as harsh as death by stoning for gay sex, extramarital sex and abortion and have been met with intense condemnation from across …
Political parties to be grilled on these LGBTIQ issues as election date revealed
National LGBTIQ lobby group just.equal has revealed some of the community issues it will ask main parties to commit to as Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirms the upcoming federal election will be held on May 18. Morrison visited Government House on Thursday morning to ask Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove to trigger the election, which will …
Study Confirms Postal Survey Damaged LGBTIQ Australians’ Mental Health
New research has found the same-sex marriage postal survey led to increased depression, anxiety and stress among LGBTIQ Australians, leading advocates to call for political parties to rule out holding public votes on LGBTIQ rights. The University of Sydney study, published in the Australian Psychological Society’s journal Australian Psychologist, assessed the mental health of 1305 …