Alastair Lawrie
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alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Alastair Lawrie
@alastairlawrie.bsky.social
820 followers 380 following 840 posts
Director, Policy & Advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre.
LGBTIQ+ advocate and writer: https://alastairlawrie.net
Views own.
He/him.
Living on Dharawal land (Wollongong).
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alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Always revealing how quickly the PM can condemn antisemitism at neo-Nazi rallies, when he has consistently and studiously avoided condemning the anti-trans nature of the neo-Nazi attendance at Victorian Parliament in March 2023. #auspol
Albanese adds he is ‘concerned’ about neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament The prime minister was asked about the neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament last weekend, and reports that members of a group that promotes white supremacist views intend to register as a political party. Albanese said: I am concerned about the gathering that was there. I condemn it unequivocally. There’s no place in Australia for the antisemitic display that we saw outside New South Wales parliament house. The prime minister said the New South Wales government was “responding” to reports of the party registration. He would not comment on any individuals at the rally having their visas reviewed, but said: I do note that people who come to Australia and then say that they are anti-migrants coming to Australia, I think that speaks for itself.
November 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
What's the collective noun for a group of TERFs? #auspol
www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/polit...
Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Henderson hosted a cross-party briefing for MPs and parliamentary staff who were addressed by Ms Grover, her lawyer, Katherine Deves, and Greens patriarch Drew Hutton, recently expelled from the party he co-founded for promoting “anti-trans views” on social media.
October 29, 2025 at 9:52 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
So, the Albanese Govt's Education Minister wants to do something about bullying.

Perhaps he could start by ending the legalised bullying of LGBTQ+ students by religious schools.

You know, like they promised in 2022, before walking away from it, and from vulnerable kids. #auspol
Education ministers to consider new national standards to combat bullying Krishani Dhanji Krishani Dhanji Federal, state and territory education ministers will consider a proposal for a new national standard on anti-bullying when they meet on Friday. The communications minister and eSafety commissioner are also set to brief the ministers ahead of the social media ban taking effect on 10 December. The government announced the anti-bullying rapid review in February, with co-chairs Dr Charlotte Keating and Professor Jo Robinson to present their findings and recommendations to the meeting. The education minister, Jason Clare, says the review shows the prominence of bullying in and out of school hours. Complaints about online bullying to the eSafety commissioner have increased by 450% in the last five years ... The review reminds us bullying doesn’t stop when the school bell rings any more. Today it can follow you all the way home after school. The internet means that you can be bullied now at any time, day or night, and anyone can see it.
October 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
New Cth Shadow Attorney-General Andrew Wallace spoke in Parliament last year against the sensible and straight-forward recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission to remove the ability of religious schools to discriminate. #auslaw #auspol 🧵1/
Mr WALLACE (Fisher) (13:30): Like many members in this place, I have spoken with constituents and faith communities who are concerned about the Australian Law Reform Commission's latest inquiry into religious educational institutions and antidiscrimination. The consultation paper essentially recommends a curtailment to the right of faith based schools to hire staff who share their religious ethos. We should be very proud in this place of our secular school system and those teachers and staff who make our schools as great as they are, but faith based schools also deliver a vital service: offering parents the freedom to decide how, and in accordance with which particular faith, their children are taught. Governments should nurture that freedom; they shouldn't curtail it. Society should nourish faith and freedom as a cause for celebration, not condemnation. I would encourage anyone listening to this speech: if you're concerned about these proposals, contact your members, contact senators in your states from across the political aisle, and make your voice heard.
October 13, 2025 at 9:44 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Two good questions from Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson Nick McKim at Attorney-General's Dept Estimates on Tuesday.

And of course, there are no good answers to either, because the Labor Govt's position on both lacks principle.
#auslaw #auspol #estimates 🧵1/3
Senator McKIM: Faith based discrimination. In all states and territories, laws currently protect LGBTQI+ students, staff and clients from discrimination in faith based schools and services. Last year, the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended similar protections at a national level. The government, in my view, quite bizarrely and unreasonably claimed that it needed bipartisan support before moving forward with such a protection at a national level, even though anyone observing the parliament knows the numbers would be there to pass such protections at a national level without the support of the opposition. Is that still the government's position? If it is, could you explain why you have taken that position, given the disarray in which the opposition currently finds itself? Senator McKIM: Thanks, Minister. On another matter, the Australian Human Rights Commission has dedicated commissioners for sex, age, race, disability, children, human rights and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice but not an LGBTIQA+ commissioner. The government has also, as you'd obviously be aware, appointed special envoys for antisemitism and Islamophobia. There's rising hate and violence against queer folk—LGBTIQA+ people—in this country. And some subgroups of that minority population are being weaponised in political and culture wars—including by some in this parliament, I might add. Why is the government not moving forward with appointing an LGBTIQA+ human rights commissioner, and why does a cabinet that has a number of portfolios dedicated, quite rightly, to the needs of minority populations in Australia not include a minister for LGBTIQA+ folk?
October 10, 2025 at 4:31 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Mark Fowler demanding the right for religious schools to police the lives of their teachers, 24/7, including about things that have zero relationship to whether they are able to perform their role inside the classroom.

Teachers are not slaves.
#ntpol #auslaw
www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/n...
By way of illustration, the proposal would prevent a religious school from addressing a staff member after parents complain that the staff member is habitually drunk at the pub (even though a public school could). It would prevent a religious school from requiring its staff to maintain their faith by attending church. It would prevent a Jewish school from sanctioning a staff member who marched in a free-Palestine rally outside work hours. A religious school could not act if it were known that a teacher moonlighted as a sex worker (even though a public school could).
September 2, 2025 at 2:35 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Been stuck wfh all week with a cold. Still no excuse not to #WearItPurple to ‘work’.

Standing up for LGBTIQA+ young people, today like every day. #BoldVoicesBrightFutures #WearItPurple2025
August 29, 2025 at 1:36 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
True leadership Mitch Brown. Bravo.

Full story: thedailyaus.com.au/sport/first-...
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-West Coast player becomes AFL's first openly bisexual man
August 27, 2025 at 2:23 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
No, it doesn't matter whether a homophobic comment is 'said as a throwaway line'.

A 'throwaway line' doesn't come from nowhere, and speaks to an underlying culture of bigotry and discrimination. 2/
“I know Greg Swann in his heart of hearts would be saying (seven weeks) is a bit harsh. We don’t know whether (the offence) was said as a throwaway line or whether it was vehement. Who heard it, how it was reported, was anyone upset - that’ll come out in due course. “We get to this stage, seven weeks, and go, OK, is this manifestly unfair? Or is it a stake in the ground? “I think they’ve got to pull it back. At the AFL tribunal, there are no precedents. Each case is taken on its merits. I think it’s going to cause a lot of friction at headquarters if Greg Swann goes down the common sense football approach to this, as opposed to the other side of things that are red hot on social impact.”
August 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Oh, and then there's this. For someone who claims to be standing up for lesbians in her war against trans people, Grover seems to be ignorant of, or even comfortable with, Russia's anti-LGBT stance. 3/
“My recommendation for anybody who is fleeing gender persecution would be to stay as far away from Australia as possible. You’ve probably got a better chance in Russia – that’s the sad reality. We’ve got beautiful beaches, but horrible institutions and weak politicians.”
August 11, 2025 at 10:22 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Also, completely unsurprised at this casual ableism (to go along her long-standing transphobia). 2/
“A lot of Australian families are leaving, they’re moving to Bali and places like that, either people for financial reasons, or because of an infringement of rights,” she said. “If that’s the direction the country is going, if you’re going to push out hard working people or innovators or business owners, then what are you going to be left with - people on NDIS?”
August 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Thanks to new Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, for this recent quote in Commonwealth Parliament (from Hansard 24 July 2025).

The Commonwealth Government really has been missing in action when it comes to rising anti-LGBTIQ+ extremism in this country. #auslaw #auspol 1/2
Senator McKIM (Tasmania—Australian Greens Whip) (13:34): I'm proud to have been named the Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson. I take on this role at a time of great challenge for the community. To quote Alastair Lawrie, a hugely respected advocate: There has been a disturbing rise in anti-LGBTIQ prejudice, including hate speech as well as threats of intimidation and violence … Alastair notes: The Commonwealth Government has been missing in action on anti-LGBTIQ extremism. One example of that is its failure to appoint a LGBTIQA+ human rights commissioner. While Labor speaks a lot about support for social cohesion and has rightly spent tens of millions of dollars on the safety of faith communities in Australia, it has been silent on extremist attacks on LGBTIQA+ events and has failed to invest the same kind of money in protecting the safety of LGBTIQA+ people. It has also failed to keep its promise to prohibit discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people by faith based schools and services, a decision that sends the message that mistreating LGBTIQA+ Australians is okay. After marriage equality, LGBTIQA+ Australians and their allies had the legitimate hope that things would get better. They have not. In my new role, I will work to restore that hope. Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality, but it now has some of the best LGBTIQA+ laws and policies in the world. We face the challenge of anti-LGBTIQA+ discrimination head on, and Tasmania is a far better place for having done so. I'm going to bring that Tasmanian spirit to my new role and will work to finally end discrimination against queer folks and right some of the egregious wrongs of the past.
August 4, 2025 at 12:04 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Paula Gerber sums up the situation pretty clearly. 2/2
However, Monash University law professor and human rights specialist Paula Gerber strongly objects to the “offensive” claim that lesbians are being coerced to date or have sex with transwomen. She says: “The idea that lesbians are being pressured to date or have sex with trans women is preposterous and offensive to their own free will and agency. “We have criminal laws that address people being forced to have sex without their consent, and any woman who is subjected to forced sexual encounters should report such behaviour to the police. All women are free to choose who they want to date.’’ On the other hand, Gerber says lesbian dating apps should include trans women with penises who identify as lesbian, because “dating apps for lesbians should be inclusive of all lesbians’. “Women on these apps who are not interested in someone they see on the app can do the proverbial ‘swipe left’,” she says.
August 2, 2025 at 12:39 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Albanese Govt to review bullying against school students (via Guardian liveblog).

Unfortunately, their election commitment - they won't act to protect LGBTQ+ kids in religious schools against discrimination unless the Libs allow them to - shows they don't care about *that* kind of bullying.
#auspol
The federal government has launched a rapid review into bullying in Australian schools following rising concerns over the behaviour of students. The education minister, Jason Clare, said the review, which will examine current school procedures and best practice measures, would be a key part of Labor’s plans to develop a national approach to addressing the issue. The review is being led by psychologist Dr Charlotte Keating and Orygen research head Dr Jo Robinson AM, with a final report will be presented to education ministers in the coming months. Clare said the government would “listen to parents, teachers and students” and work with state and territory governments to “get this right”: Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students. Last year we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country.
May 20, 2025 at 3:45 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
So, LGBTQ students and teachers in religious schools are collateral damage of the nebulous concept of 'social cohesion'.

The Govt knows they need to be protected.

The Govt knows how this should be done (they got the ALRC to recommend the exact reforms).

They just refuse to follow through. #auspol
May 1, 2025 at 2:49 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
The ALP's election policy on protecting LGBTQ students and teachers in religious schools against discrimination is incredibly disappointing - because, in practice, it means they won't be protected for the foreseeable future. #auslaw #auspol #ausvotes 1/
5. Will your party commit to modernising and strengthening anti-discrimination laws, including by narrowing unfair religious exemptions that permit discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people in workplaces, schools and services? Labor believes no Australian should be discriminated against because of who they are or what they believe. Consistent with the Prime Minister’s commitment before the 2022 election, this term draft legislation was developed which would – • prevent discrimination against people of faith; • act to protect all students from discrimination on any grounds; and • protect teachers from discrimination at work, whilst maintaining the right of religious schools to preference people of their faith in the selection of staff. The Prime Minister made it clear that bipartisan support was needed to progress these reforms, to ensure the protections we seek will be lasting. We could only proceed with this legislation if it would unite Australians and not divide us. Unfortunately, the Coalition refused to engage with the Government at all on possible amendments to the draft bill. This is an important, complex and sometimes controversial area of law. That is why Labor supports a bipartisan approach to these issues – because we believe that, wherever possible, efforts to enhance anti-discrimination protections should be done in a way that brings Australians together.
April 30, 2025 at 11:46 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Incredibly disappointing news out of Queensland, with the LNP Government voting to permanently defer the introduction of vital anti-discrimination reforms that were passed last year. This will affect many, many vulnerable Queenslanders. #qldpol #auslaw 1/2
Queensland government delays anti-discrimination law indefinitely Queensland parliament has voted to indefinitely delay implementing landmark anti-discrimination legislation it passed into law last year. The attorney general, Deb Frecklington, flagged the move last month. They were included in an amendment to an unrelated bill Frecklington introduced yesterday. Among other reforms, they expanded discriminatory protections to victims of domestic violence and homelessness, disabled Queenslanders and improved protections for employees subjected to sexual harassment at work. Initially the reforms were to take effect on 1 July. Queensland Human Rights Commissioner, Scott McDougall, said the move was “a huge disappointment to me and will be to many Queenslanders who have worked tirelessly for positive change”. He said he’d pressed Frecklington to allow uncontroversial parts of the bill to take effect on schedule and called on her to announce a new commencement date. The shadow attorney general, Meaghan Scanlon, said: Indefinitely delaying protections for women at work – domestic violence victims, people who are experiencing homelessness – is disgraceful. Given the staggering number of women in this state and country who have been the victims of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, God only knows why the LNP wants to let discrimination run unabated. The bill passed on party lines last night. Frecklington said on Tuesday: The decision to delay the commencement of the RAW Act was not taken lightly. The government remains fully committed to fostering safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces across Queensland However, the postponement was necessary to ensure that the implementation of the act is as effective and impactful as possible.
April 30, 2025 at 11:39 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Last Tuesday, I participated in a panel discussion on religious freedoms and LGBTQ+ rights at NSW Parliament House, featuring Liberal MLCs Jacqui Munro, Chris Rath and Susan Carter, as well as Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney.
#auslaw #nswpol 🧵1/
April 14, 2025 at 3:15 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Some good news to end the week. #auslaw #nswpol
The cost of former One Nation leader Mark Latham’s homophobic tweet about political rival Alex Greenwhich could more than triple after he was ordered to pay the independent Sydney MP’s legal costs. Federal court justice David O’Callaghan today ordered Latham to pay costs after Greenwich won his defamation case against Latham in September. Greenwich was then awarded $140,000 in damages, and will now have his legal costs covered on a party-party basis, which normally covers around 70% of the fees incurred. Greenwich’s costs are estimated to be $600,000. Latham posted a tweet that explicitly described a sex act during the 2023 state election, and a court later found it exposed Greenwich, who is gay and a prominent LGBTQI community advocate, to a torrent of hateful abuse including death threats. Latham posted it in response to Greenwich describing Mr Latham as a “disgusting human being”. Latham’s lawyer had argued the former One Nation MP should only have to pay a quarter of Greenwich’s costs.
April 4, 2025 at 4:35 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Great advice PM Albanese.

Does that apply to the LGBTQ+ students in religious schools, who can be legally mistreated, because you and your Government broke your promise to protect them?

How exactly do you advise them to 'enjoy themselves?' Any tips?
#auslaw #auspol #ausvotes
Anthony Albanese has told pupils at Cabramatta Public School to study hard and be determined, saying in Australia young people can achieve anything they dream of. The Prime Minister met pupils from grades 5 and 6 on Friday morning, and was asked his message for children around the country. Make the most of while you’re at school, enjoy yourself. But in this country, you can be anything you want to be. So study hard, create an opportunity for yourselves. All your parents will want more for you than what they had. That’s the Australian way.
April 4, 2025 at 12:03 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
It was great to be at NSW Parliament House this morning for the event ahead of the formal start of the ban on sexual orientation and gender identity conversion practices, which commences at midnight tonight. #auslaw #nswpol 1/2
April 3, 2025 at 3:48 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Yes, this opinion piece in today's Oz is as misinformed and prejudiced as you would expect.

No, there's no reason for anyone to read it... #transphobia
March 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Not surprising, but still depressing, development in Queensland. #auslaw #qldpol
Qld government to indefinitely delay implementing anti-discrimination legislation The Queensland government plans to indefinitely delay implementing human rights laws passed under the previous parliament. The Respect at Work and other Matters Amendment Act, which amended the Anti-Discrimination Act and passed over LNP opposition last September, is due to take effect in July. Among other reforms, the bill introduces a positive duty on private businesses to eliminate workplace discrimination, and extends protections against discrimination to the homeless and to people suffering domestic and family violence. Attorney-general Deb Frecklington told parliament on Friday morning she would introduce legislation to delay the bill from being enforced until further notice. She said the legislation could create “unnecessary burden on organisations and institutions” and might create “very serious unintended and unwanted consequences”, and had been rushed by the previous government.
March 14, 2025 at 1:11 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
While it is unclear from the article whether that will be permit discrimination on the ground of faith only, or also against LGBTQ teachers, we should note the provisions that existed pre-2022 explicitly allowed discrimination against LGBTQ teachers. #auslaw #ntpol 2/
37A Exemption – religious educational institutions An educational authority that operates or proposes to operate an educational institution in accordance with the doctrine of a particular religion may discriminate against a person in the area of work in the institution if the discrimination: (a) is on the grounds of: (i) religious belief or activity; or(ii) sexuality; and (b) is in good faith to avoid offending the religious sensitivities of people of the particular religion.
March 4, 2025 at 12:25 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
The Minns Govt has questions to answer after it announced more details of its 'hate crimes' legislative package, to be introduced to NSW parliament next week.

This includes which groups will actually be protected.
#auslaw #nswpol 🧵 1/
www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-...
In response to recent appalling attacks, the NSW Government will: Introduce a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a proposed maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment. Introduce a new offence in section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900 directed at the display of a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, with an increased maximum penalty to 2 years’ imprisonment, and clarify that that graffiti is a ‘public act’. Expand the aggravating circumstance that applies on sentence when an offence is motivated by hatred or prejudice to ensure that it applies whether a crime is partially or wholly motivated by hatred or prejudice. Amend the Graffiti Control Act 2008 to create an aggravated offence for graffiti on a place of worship. Introduce a new offence in the Crimes Act 1900 to stop people in or near a place of worship from intentionally blocking access to the place of worship without reasonable excuse, or from harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing places of worship, and provide police with associated move on powers. This new offence is proposed to have a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.
February 6, 2025 at 1:38 AM