The Senate today passed a Greens motion calling on parliamentarians to acknowledge the personal and professional harm caused by discriminatory treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Australian Defence Force members.

“Until 1992, gay, lesbian and bisexual people were explicitly banned from serving in our defence forces,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

Your chance to be part of democracy in action this federal election.

Are you passionate about tackling our climate crisis? LGBTIQ+ rights? Economic inequality? The environment? Social justice? And are you looking to be part of the solution? Here’s your opportunity to gain first-hand experience volunteering in Senator Janet Rice’s office and make an impact.

Senator Janet Rice is looking for volunteers to join her Melbourne team from March until June 2019.

New research showing the harm caused to LGBTIQ+ people by the marriage equality vote including elevated levels of depression, anxiety and stress, is not a surprise, say Greens.

“We all knew the postal survey was going to cause harm to LGBTIQ+ people - everyone from medical experts, mental health organisations, community groups and LGBTIQ+ people continuously warned against it,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

A Religious Discrimination Act should not be used to undermine or override state based anti-discrimination laws, the Australian Greens say, following the release of the government’s response to the Ruddock Review.

Greens Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said: “Religious freedom cannot be viewed in isolation, nor should it be used as a political weapon in an act of vengeance for the marriage equality vote.”

 The Senate has passed a motion celebrating the first anniversary of marriage equality being passed in the parliament. The motion also noted the harm caused by the postal survey and that LGBTIQ+ people still face daily discrimination.

“I’m pleased to be celebrating the first anniversary of marriage equality passing parliament,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

 Scott Morrison’s bill does not remove discrimination against LGBTQ+ kids, it opens the door to even more discrimination, say the Australian Greens.

“This bill is a Trojan horse that will expand discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, not remove it,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

“This bill allows schools to bully, exclude or even refuse to teach LGBTQ+ students. It is unacceptable.”

The Australian Greens have announced $10 million per year of funding into ending HIV in Australia, with a further $1 million for national campaigns that break down HIV discrimination and stigma, ahead of World AIDS Day on Saturday 1 December.

“We have the chance to end HIV in Australia. The Greens will invest $10 million a year into organisations that do the incredibly important work of combating and preventing HIV,” said Senator Richard Di Natale, leader of the Australian Greens and a doctor.

The Australian Greens will move amendments to Labor’s bill to ensure discrimination against LGBTQ+ teachers and staff, as well as students, is removed.

“Labor and the Morrison government must support the Greens amendments to include teachers and staff," said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

“It’s clear from the title of Labor’s bill that it will only end discrimination against students and that religious schools would still be able to fire LGBTQ+ teachers and other staff, just for being who they are.”

“The Australian Greens support the Senate Inquiry recommendation to remove discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, but we must also act immediately to remove discrimination against teachers and other staff,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.

“We don’t need any further delay before removing discrimination. Schools should be discrimination-free zones for all LGBTQ+ people, regardless of whether they are are a student or a staff member."