The NSW premier has defended his government’s record on ensuring fair and equal treatment of LGBTQIA+ people, while declining to back an apology to men who were punished for the historical crime of consensual gay sex.
On Thursday, two days after Crikey reported emails asking Dominic Perrottet about the issue had gone unanswered, his office sent a response with a statement from the premier.
“My government is committed to ensuring everyone is treated equally and fairly,” Perrottet said.
“Previous governments haven’t always got it right — but we continue to do what we can to correct those mistakes.
“That’s why, on February 25 2016, members of the Legislative Assembly formally apologised to the attendees of the 1978 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, dubbed the 78ers. This apology was led by the former Liberal member for Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith.
“And last year, I asked Justice Sackar to lead a Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes in order to provide hope to the grieving families and loved ones who have been looking for answers to crimes which have gone unsolved, in some cases for more than half a century. Those hearings are underway and are due to report by 30 June.”
The NSW opposition leader and several crossbench parties have said Parliament should issue a formal apology to the dozens of men punished for being gay before homosexuality was decriminalised in the state in 1984.
The Australian reported last week that at least 29 men had convictions for historical offences extinguished after enabling laws were introduced in 2014.
NSW Liberal Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes told Crikey last week that Parliament should “of course” apologise: “Of course, of course … I think that’s a terrible thing, to face punishment for who you are. That’s a terrible thing, and personally I’m very sorry.”
But when asked if he would tell the premier to apologise, Stokes demurred: “That’s a matter for him. I can only apologise in my capacity, and I’m very sorry that occurred.”
Last week Perrottet vowed to back an independent proposal for a ban on gay conversion practices.
“There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable,” he said.
