6 May 2003

NSW set to lower gay age of consent
New South Wales appears set to end discrimination in the age of consent between heterosexuals and homosexuals.

The state government is planning to introduce a bill to lower the gay age of consent to 16.

Gay rights groups have long fought to have the age of consent for gay men loweredfrom 18 to 16, and it is now possible they will get their wish with the Attorney-General Bob Debus announcing a conscience vote on the issue for Labor MPs.

Mr Debus says the bill will include safeguards, including the toughening of penalties for offences on children under 16, and the removal of the defence of not knowing a child was underage.


About bloody time.

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