Exclusive: Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich says he chose progress over defeat in securing the passage of his amended Equality Bill, which introduces new protections for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Speaking to Gay Sydney News after the bill passed both houses of parliament this week, Greenwich said the bill had been officially signed by Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Greg Piper on Friday and sent to Governor Margaret Beazley for royal assent.
Once the governor approves the bill, its provisions will progressively take effect, with the full roll-out complete by July 1 next year. This phased implementation allows time for key changes, such as those related to birth certificates, to be made smoothly.
Greenwich, who introduced the bill more than a year ago, said NSW was behind the rest of the country in some LGBTQIA+ protections before it was enacted.
Now that it had passed, he said, “we are leading the nation.”
The bill’s passage was not without difficulty though, facing both an inquiry and then negotiations with the Labor party to secure support for it.
It meant that the bill ultimately passed by the NSW Parliament was watered down from its original format, with substantial concessions made that removed protections for LGBTQIA+ school staff and students, decriminalisation of street-based sex work, and rights to gender-affirming healthcare.
However, it still includes provisions that will make it easier for trans people to update their birth certificates without requiring gender-affirming surgery, introduce new hate crime offences for trans and intersex people, and ensure trans people are not classified as having a mental health condition.
It will also become an offence to threaten to “out” sex workers and LGBTQIA+ people, and the bill provides a pathway for children born through overseas commercial surrogacy arrangements to have their parents recognised.
“We have more work to do,” Greenwich said. “I know that and I’ve already started today on how we can get greater protections for sex workers and strengthen protections for LGBTQIA+ teachers and students.”
But that didn’t stop some from criticising Greenwich’s efforts. Activist group Pride in Protest have been among the most vocal against the compromise deal Greenwich reached with Labor to ensure the bill passed.
“We need to be demanding commitments from the government, not celebrating crumbs,” the group said in an Instagram post, adding: “This is not equality. None of us are free until all of us are free.”
In a comment below the group’s post, Greenwich responded: “To call birth certificate reform for trans people, parentage orders for rainbow families, new hate crimes protections, new protections for sex workers ‘crumbs’ is so deeply offensive. Keep throwing shade, I’ll keep delivering reforms. #prideinprogress.”
Greenwich told GSN that he understood the complaints but urged the community to understand what has been achieved.
“I chose progress over defeat and I’m not going to apologise for that,” he said, adding that an “all or nothing” attitude “leads to nothing”.
“You can sit on the sidelines and complain or you can campaign to make these reforms happen,” he said.
“People want to get angry at things getting taken out but some of them are already being worked on or have pathways to being achieved.”
Greenwich said he has dedicated his political career to advancing equality reforms and hopes that his bill will be seen not merely as a piece of legislation but as a catalyst for broader societal change.
“We should take nation-leading wins as a sign of confidence that we can achieve more,” Greenwich said.
He added that he would continue to work with other political parties moving forward, but was concerned by the Coalition not allowing a conscience vote on the bill.
In parliament’s upper house on Thursday night, Liberal MPs voted against the bill. But on Wednesday, when it cleared the lower house, one Liberal MP crossed the floor to support it.
“I am grateful to [Liberal MP] Felicity Wilson for showing leadership as it is a worrying trend for the Coalition to do this on a piece of LGBTQIA+ legislation,” Greenwich said.
However, he said he would continue working with the Liberal Party, hoping that a conscience vote would be allowed next time.
“I go into the next phase of work more determined than ever before and I’m really proud we have gone from laggard to leading.
“I want governments to be celebrated for achieving reform.
“This is the biggest piece of LGBTQIA+ legislation passed in the history of NSW.”
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
