Following are some significant quotes from parliamentary members and the Legislative Council during the passage of the Equal Opportunity legislation in October 2001. Hon. C.A. Furletti " I hasten to put on the record that it is a fundamental Liberal Philosophy that we support the right of an individual to achieve his or her full potential without being subjected in any way to discrimination and that all people should be treated equally" Hon. Andrew Olexander "I want to put on record that I am a very proud member of a party that has a tremendous record on equal opportunity in this state. It was the Hamer Liberal government that introduced Victoria's first Equal Opportunity Act..... It was the Hamer government that ensured that homosexuality was effectively decriminalised in Victoria with amendments to the Crimes Act." A. Olexander quoted Alfred Deakin " the Liberal Party has been distinguished by two or three leading principals. It has sought social justice by trusting the people and developing the powers of self-government." Hon. Andrea Coote "I find discrimination of any kind abhorrent" Hon.P.A Katsambanis (Monash) "I support the concept of equal opportunity, of true equality irrespective of differences. Every individual has a right to live a life free from discrimination, blame or finger pointing because of a difference in his or her make up. The liberal Party has advanced the concept of equal opportunity almost since its inception, and its record is a proud one." "My parliamentary colleagues who have contributed to the debate - the Honourable Calro Furletti, Andrew Olexander, David Davis, Maree Luckins and Andrea Coote- have made it clear that the Liberal Party has a strong and proud record in equal opportunity in Victoria and Australia. I congratulate the Honourable member" In my electorate the concepts of gender identity and sexual orientation are not some nebulous concepts or something that is untouchable, full of fear or needs to be thought of in the abstract. The issue of gender identity and sexual orientation are a day to day reality in my electorate. Individuals who have suffered discrimination because of their gender identity or sexual orientation are not individuals about whom one hears or reads about or finds out about from talking to other people; rather, they live in and make a strong contribution to the community. Their contributions are valued not only because of what they dobut because of the individuals they are. I am proud to work and live in and represent a community that is prepared to wholly accept every individual as an individual." www.alp.org.au/ www.liberal.org.au/ www.democrats.org.au/ www.greens.org.au/ For a comprehensive list of political parties in Australia: www.nla.gov.au/oz/gov/party.html			Home ·  About M.A.N. ·  Activism ·  F.A.Q.'s ·  Legal ·  Documents ·  Publications ·  Education ·  Health ·  Supporters ·  Links ·  Sitemap ·  Contact Related ·  Focus & Priorities ·  mensaustnet
	Last modified: 28 January 2003

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