Hodgman commitment to gay hate law welcomed / Call for Liberals to support school anti-homophobia programs

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on July 8th 2011

Tasmanian gay advocates have welcomed a commitment from State Opposition leader, Will Hodgman, to laws which will allow harsher penalties for violent crime motivated by hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Mr Hodgman made the commitment at a press conference in Hobart this morning.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said gay bashers often believe society condones their actions and extra penalties for hate crime will send out the message that this is not the case.

"We welcome Mr Hodgman's hate-crime commitment and also call on the Liberal Party to commit to programs in secondary schools which reduce levels of prejudice and discrimination", Mr Croome said.

On Wednesday, State Attorney-General, Brian Wightman, said he is committed to seriously considering laws which will provide harsher penalties for hate-motivated crime.

The commitment came in the wake of an anti-gay attack on a young Ulverstone man, Daniel Stanley.

Mr Hodgman's commitment was in response to a row between Labor MP, Brenton Best, and Liberal MP, Michael Ferguson, about the latter's involvement in the Tasmanian Family Institute which campaigned against same-sex adoption in 2003.

Mr Croome said Mr Ferguson can easily dispell any concerns about his involvement with anti-gay causes by declaring his opposition to prejudice and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

"A declaration from Mr Ferguson that, as Shadow Education Minister, he supports school anti-homophobia programs would bring to an end any concern about his involvement in former anti-gay campaigns", Mr Croome said.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.