A bit of bloody lovely news for ya, South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill has used time in state parliament today to formally apologise on behalf of SA for all the pain and anguish that LGBTQIA+ people have endured because of really shitty laws in the past.
Broadcast online for everyone that couldn’t get to the council’s sitting, Premier Weatherill‘s apology comes as a bunch of bills that help to get rid of the discrimination toward LGBTQIA+ people are presented to the SA Legislative Council to be passed.
The House of Assembly added the following motions into today’s program for the Premier to take to the floor to push for the laws to be passed in the Legislative Council:
I.That this House recognises that many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community members have been discriminated against by South Australia’s Legislation.II. We accept that while South Australia has long been a leader in LGBTIQ reform, more must be done.III. To LGBTIQ community members discriminated against in Legislation we offer you our unreserved and sincere regret, and are sorry for those injustices.
Premier Weatherill took time to speak openly and honestly about the people that have contacted him about the need to pass the bills to recognise same-sex marriage from outside of Australia, and closed his speech by apologising to the LGBTQIA+ community members in the chamber and listening online.
“I want you to know that who you are is ok. You are a welcome part of the broader South Australian community,” Premier Weatherill says.
“As Premier and a member of the South Australian parliament, I am sorry to those who have suffered injustices and indecencies simply for who you are.”
The apology was met in with a round of applause, and Leader of the Opposition, Steven Marshall agreed to move the motion, noting that both sides of government don’t often agree on much.
He also apologised to the LGBTQIA+ community, and called for the state to continue to lead by example.
“I hope the motion today goes some way to healing your hurt.”
The motions were passed unanimously in the house, with absolutely zero bloody nays. Onya South Aus.
Weatherill also used today, which is also World AIDS Day, to announce that South Australians who are at high risk of contracting HIV can take part in a trial that has shown to reduce the risk of infection.
Photo: Jay Weatherill/Instagram.
