New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has pledged his support to the LGBTQI community for the first time since his election.
Perrottet was questioned by openly gay Syndey MP Alex Greenwich about his stance on the LGBTQI community.
The timely comment comes as NSW Parliament is scheduled to vote on One Nation MLC Mark Latham’s anti-trans education and religious freedom bills.
During Parliament Question Time, Greenwich asked the Premier directly: “Will you work with me to ensure the LGBTQI+ community is supported by your government and not discriminated against in New South Wales?”
Perrottet thanked the independent Sydney MP for his question and acknowledged the work he has done “advocating for the LGBT community” in NSW.
In response to his question, Perrottet replied, “I said that I would serve every single person across New South Wales, and that is what I’ve always tried to do as a member of this government, and as Premier, that is what I will continue to do.”
“I am a Liberal, and a fundamental aspect of being a Liberal, is understanding that governments should, as much as possible stay out of people’s lives, because we believe that a strong society is not the product of a government or programs, but a product of flourishing families and individuals, communities and businesses across our state. Human flourishing is only possible when the inherent dignity of everyone in our society is recognised and affirmed.”
He added that he would continue to work with Greenwich “constructively to ensure that the LGBTI members of our community do feel supported, and do not face injustice in New South Wales.”
This week in Parliament I asked the new Premier to work with me to ensure the LGBTIQA+ community is supported and not discriminated against in NSW law.
I welcome his commitment to this. pic.twitter.com/1tftQL2eLi
— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) October 14, 2021
National advocacy organisation Equality Australia welcomed the Premier’s pledge, as CEO Anna Brown told Star Observer: “It’s encouraging to hear the new Premier commit to working to support the LGBTQI+ community, and to address injustice.”
In the past, Perrottet has opposed gay marriage and expressed troubling views in regards to LGBTQI issues. He voted against marriage equality during the 2017 plebiscite.
Following the election of former US President Donald Trump in 2017, Perrottet tweeted his support saying, “If you stand for free speech, you are not a bigot.”
“If you want a plebiscite on same sex marriage, you are not a homophobe.”
Dominic Perrottet in 2016, following the election of Donald Trump #nswpol pic.twitter.com/kG4jhP6r47
— Gavin Coote (@GavinCoote) October 2, 2021
Perrottet’s pledge to protect the interests of the LGBTQI community will be put to the test when One Nation’s anti-trans bills are put before Parliament.
