Age Of Consent & Legal Sexual Activity for the State of Queensland, Australia - A campaign to remove our Sodomy Law (which was enacted in 1990).

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20th October 2008 Email to Editor of the Courier Mail (C.c. to Premier Anna Bligh and Attorney-General Kerry Shine) in which I highlight that Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner advised the Government on 15th July 2005 that the discriminatory unequal age of consent is in clear contravention of Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

 

This was the argument which brought international pressure to force law reform in Tasmania in 1994. I state that “A United Nations Human Rights Committee challenge should not be necessary when any delay affects the health and well being of thousands of our state's youth.”       

 

 

 

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

From: John Frame

To: cmletters@qnp.newsltd.com.au

Cc: Premier Anna Bligh ; Attorney-General Kerry Shine

Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 1:48 PM

Subject: Is Anna Bligh listening to concerns for Qld youth?

 

To The Editor of the Courier Mail

 

For Publication:

 

Is Anna Bligh listening to concerns for Qld youth?

 

We're told that Premier Anna Bligh has recently found the political value in listening to community concerns about town planning and the environment. However she still seems to be turning a deaf ear to broad community demand for law reform to enable all Queensland youth to be treated with equity.  

 

As per http://www.queerradio.org/AOC150705_ADCQ.htm : On 15th July 2005, both the Premier and Attorney-General were advised by Qld Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Susan Booth that the current unequal age of consent is in contravention of Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

 

This was the exact argument used in a United Nations Human Rights Committee challenge in 1994 which forced the Tasmanian Government to enact a truly equal age of consent. By late 2003 West Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory had enacted reform, leaving Queensland conspicuously alone in maintaining discriminatory age of consent legislation.

 

The Bligh Government should care enough about the welfare of Queensland youth to urgently enact a truly equal age of consent - because all youth deserve equal protection and support. A United Nations Human Rights Committee challenge should not be necessary when any delay affects the health and well being of thousands of our state's youth.

 

In 2005 I organised a Parliamentary E-Petition which drew 740 signatories supporting urgent action. The Attorney-General's official response was limited to saying that there were no plans for reform. The Bligh Government has steadfastly refused to declare any bona fide reasoning for their inaction.

 

I can readily supply you with contact details of representatives of service organisations and community groups who strongly support this reform.

 

I welcome any query.

 

yours sincerely,

 

John Frame
jvframe@ozemail.com.au
www.queerradio.org/AgeOfConsent.htm
Ph: 07 3350 1562 / mobile: 0409 501 561
Post: 82 Main Avenue, Wavell Heights 4012, QLD, Australia.
 
----"There is no substitute for equality"----