Discrimination

Our laws should protect people, not exclude them.

A fair system gives everyone an equal opportunity to participate in society, regardless of who they are, what they believe or the communities they belong to.

The Justice and Equity Centre’s discrimination work strengthens and modernises anti-discrimination laws, to protect human rights and ensure fair access to services, education, work and culture.

This includes protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and communities. We challenge laws and practices that expose people to harm or discrimination because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics, working collaboratively with LGBTIQ+ people and communities.

You can also read more about our work to challenge disability discrimination.

News and resources

News

AAP: LGBTQI protections bolstered, but not completely

New Equality laws are a step in the right direction, but still fail to protect all LGBTQI people in NSW.

News

Equality Bill ‘an important step, but not the end of the journey’

The Equality Bill will make real change for gender diverse people in NSW, but the Anti-Discrimination Act still requires urgent reform.

News

2SER: Federal Government under fire for lack of LGBTQI+ representation in 2026 census

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Alastair Lawrie, explained why the Government needs to do more to include LGBTQI+ Australians in the next Census.

News

The Guardian: Hate speech bill won’t address ‘rising tide of public homophobia’

Alastair Lawrie, Director of Policy and Advocacy, commented on the Government's proposed hate speech bill.

News

ABC News: After a change of heart, some LGBTQI+ people will be included in the census — but not all

Director of Policy and Advocacy Alastair Lawrie said the Census must include questions on sexual orientation, gender identity and innate variations of sex characteristics

News

The Canberra Times: The govt has dropped the ball on protecting LGBTQ students and teachers

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Alastair Lawrie, wrote about the Government's failure to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination in religious schools.

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