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16th April 2008  Email to Editor of the Courier Mail (C.c. to Premier Anna Bligh and Attorney-General Kerry Shine) regarding their 14th April 2008 article in which I note the quote from the Premier: "I can certainly say that as (a past) education minister, I'm aware that many teachers and many guidance officers and school support staff face the reality of talking to young people about their sexuality."

I challenge the Bligh Government to answer these two key questions:

(1) In 1990 Peter Beattie's PCJC Committee recommended an equal age of consent at 16, so why is our Queensland Labor Government taking so long to make that recommendation a reality?

(2) When can Queensland youth expect to be treated with equity under the law?

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Frame

To: cmletters@qnp.newsltd.com.au

Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7:14 PM

Subject: When will all Queensland youth to be treated with equity under the law?

 

FOR PUBLICATION

 

I refer to the following quote from Premier Bligh in the article "School formal stance on gays sparks widespread debate" (C-M Apr 14, 2008):

"We can't put our head in the sand on this," Ms Bligh said. "These are very difficult issues for schools to manage and I can understand why it's not a clear-cut matter.

"I can certainly say that as (a past) education minister, I'm aware that many teachers and many guidance officers and school support staff face the reality of talking to young people about their sexuality."

What the Premier needs to do now is to commit to changing the Criminal Code to enact an equal age of consent at 16, so that school counselors and students can speak honestly on sexuality issues. Honest communication is currently hampered by the fact that a youth's same sex attraction may automatically be associated with potential criminality (with a penalty of up to 14 years in gaol).

In 1990 Peter Beattie's PCJC Committee recommended an equal age of consent at 16, so why is our Queensland Labor Government taking so long to make that recommendation a reality? When can Queensland youth expect to be treated with equity under the law?

Yours sincerely,

John Frame
jvframe@ozemail.com.au
Ph: 07 3350 1562 / mobile: 0409 501 561
Post: 82 Main Avenue, Wavell Heights 4012, QLD, Australia.

----"There is no substitute for equality"----