Commonwealth of Australia Gazette

Year

1901 | 1902 | 1903 | 1904 | 1905 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1909

1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919

1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929

1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939

1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949

1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959

1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969

1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979

1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009

2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019

2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029

For gazette notices published more than 50 years ago (before ):

For gazette notices published less than 50 years ago ( and after) on the Federal Register of Legislation website:

No 1, 1901

Published by Authority.

By the Queen

A PROCLAMATION

Victoria R

WHEREAS by an Act of Parliament passed in the Sixty-third and Sixty-fourth Years of Our Reign intituled, “An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia,” it is enacted that it shall be lawful for the Queen, with the advice of the Privy Council, to declare by Proclamation, that, on and after a day therein appointed, not being later than One Year after the passing of this Act, the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, and also, if Her Majesty is satisfied that the people of Western Australia have agreed thereto, of Western Australia, shall be united in a Federal Commonwealth under the name of the Commonwealth of Australia.

And whereas We are satisfied that the people of Western Australia have agreed thereto accordingly.

We, therefore, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, have thought fit to issue this Our Royal Proclamation, and We do hereby declare that on and after the First day of January One thousand nine hundred and one the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia shall be united in a Federal Commonwealth under the name of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Given at Our Court at Balmoral, this Seventeenth day of September, in the Year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred, and in the Sixty-fourth Year of Our Reign.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

PROCLAMATION

By His Excellency The Right Honorable The Earl of Hopetoun a Member of Her Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia.

WHEREAS Her Majesty has been graciously pleased by Commission under Her Royal Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date at St. James the twenty-ninth day of October, one thousand nine hundred, to constitute and appoint me, The Right Honorable John Adrian Louis, Earl of Hopetoun a Member of Her Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council; Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, to be Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Commonwealth of Australia, I do hereby proclaim and declare that I have this day taken the prescribed Oaths before His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of our State of New South Wales, in the Commonwealth of Australia, and that I have assumed the said Office of Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia accordingly.

Given under my Hand and Seal, at Sydney, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one, and in the sixty-fourth year of Her Majesty’s Reign.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

LETTERS PATENT passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, constituting the Office of Governor-General and Commander-in Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India: To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:

WHEREAS, by an Act of Parliament passed on the Ninth day of July One thousand nine hundred, in the Sixty-fourth year of Our Reign, intituled “An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia,” it is enacted that “it shall be lawful for the Queen, with the advice of the Privy Council, to declare by Proclamation that, on and after a day therein appointed, not being later than one year after this passing of this Act, the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, and also, if Her Majesty is satisfied that the people of Western Australia have agreed thereto, of Western Australia, shall be united in a Federal Commonwealth under the name of the Commonwealth of Australia. But the Queen may, at any time after Proclamation, appoint a Governor-General for the Commonwealth:”

And whereas We did on the seventeenth day of September One thousand nine hundred, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council declare by proclamation that, on and after the first day of January One thousand nine hundred and one, the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania and also Western Australia, should be united in a Federal Commonwealth under the name of the Commonwealth of Australia: And whereas by the said recited Act certain powers, functions, and authorities were declared to be vested in the Governor-General: And whereas We are desirous of making effectual and permanent provision for the office of Governor-General and Commander in chief in and over Our said Commonwealth of Australia, without making new Letters Patent on each demise of the said office Now know ye that We have thought fit to constitute, order, and declare, and do by these presents constitute order, and declare, that there shall be a Governor-General and Commander in Chief (hereinafter called the Governor-General) in and over Our Commonwealth of Australia (hereinafter called Our said Commonwealth), and that the person who shall fill the said office of Governor-General shall be from time to time appointed by Commission under Our Sign Manual and Signet. And we do hereby authorize and command Our said Governor-General to do and execute, in due manner, all things that shall belong to his said command, and to the trust We have reposed in him, according to the several powers and authorities granted or appointed him by virtue of “The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900,” and of these present Letters Patent and of such Commission as may be issued to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet, and according to such Instructions as may from time to time be given to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet, or by Our Order in Our Privy Council, or by Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and to such laws as shall hereafter be in force in Our said Commonwealth.

II. There shall be a Great Seal of and for Our said Commonwealth which Our said Governor-General shall keep and use for sealing all things whatsoever that shall pass the said Great Seal. Provided that until a Great Seal shall be provided the Private Seal of Our said Governor-General may be used as the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Australia.

III. The Governor-General may constitute and appoint, in Our name and on Our behalf, all such Judges, Commissioners, Justices of the Peace, and other necessary Officers and Ministers of Our said Commonwealth, as may be lawfully constituted or appointed by Us.

IV. The Governor-General, so far as We Ourselves lawfully may, upon sufficient cause to him appearing, may remove from his office, or suspend from the exercise of the same, any person exercising any office of Our said Commonwealth, under or by virtue of any Commission or Warrant granted, or which may be granted, by Us in Our name or under Our authority.

V. The Governor-General may on Our behalf exercise all powers under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900, or otherwise in respect of the summoning, proroguing, or dissolving the Parliament of Our said Commonwealth.

VI. And whereas by “The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900,” it is amongst other things enacted, that we may authorise the Governor-General to appoint any person or persons, jointly or severally, to be his Deputy or Deputies within any part of Our Commonwealth, and in that capacity to exercise, during the pleasure of the Governor-General such powers, and functions of the said Governor-General as he thinks fit to assign to such Deputy or Deputies, subject to any limitations expressed or directions given by Us: Now We do hereby authorise and empower Our said Governor-General subject to such limitations and directions as aforesaid, to appoint any person or persons, jointly or severally, to be his Deputy or Deputies within any part of Our said Commonwealth of Australia, and in that capacity to exercise, during his pleasure, such of his powers and functions, as he may deem it necessary or expedient to assign to him or them: Provided always, that the appointment of such a Deputy or Deputies shall not affect the exercise by the Governor-General himself of any power or function.

VII. And We do hereby declare Our pleasure to be that, in the event of the death, incapacity, removal, or absence of Our said Governor-General out of Our said Commonwealth, all and every the powers and authorities herein granted to him shall until Our further pleasure is signified therein, be vested in such person as may be appointed by Us under Our Sign Manual and Signet to be Our Lieutenant Governor of Our said Commonwealth: or if there shall be no such Lieutenant Governor in Our said Commonwealth, then in such person or persons as may be appointed by Us under Our Sign Manual and Signet to administer the Government of the same. No such powers or authorities shall vest in such Lieutenant Governor, or such other person or persons, until he or they shall have taken the oaths appointed to be taken by the Governor-General of Our said Commonwealth, and in the manner provided by the Instructions accompanying these Our Letters Patent.

VIII. And We do hereby require and command all Our Officers and Ministers, Civil and Military, and all other the inhabitants of Our said Commonwealth to be obedient, aiding, and assisting unto Our said Governor-General, or, in the event of his death, incapacity, or absence, to such person or persons as may, from time to time, under the provisions of these Our Letters Patent, administer the Government of Our said Commonwealth.

IX. And We do hereby reserve to Ourselves Our heirs and successors, full power and authority from time to time to revoke, alter, or amend these Our Letters Patent as to Us or them shall seem meet.

X. And We do further direct and enjoin that these Our Letters Patent shall be read and proclaimed at such place or places as Our said Governor-General shall think fit within Our said Commonwealth of Australia.

In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. Witness Ourself at Westminster the twenty-ninth day of October in the sixty fourth year of Our reign.

Letters Patent constituting the Office of

Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the

Commonwealth of Australia

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

COMMISSION passed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, appointing the Right Honourable The Earl of Hopetoun, P.C., K.T., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., to be Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia.

VICTORIA R.

Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India; To Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Councillor John Adrain Louis, Earl of Hopetoun, Knight of Our Most Ancient, and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Greeting.

WE do, by this Our Commission under Our Sign Manual and Signet, appoint you, the said John Adrian Louis, Earl of Hopetoun, to be, during Our pleasure, Our Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Our Commonwealth of Australia, with all the powers, rights, privileges, and advantages to the said Office belonging or appertaining.

II. And we do hereby authorise, empower, and command you to exercise and perform all and singular the powers and directions contained in Our Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster the Twenty-ninth day of October, 1900, constituting the said Office of Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, or in any other Our Letters Patent adding to, amending, or substituted for the same and according to such Orders and Instructions as you may receive from Us.

III. And We do hereby command all and singular Our Officers, Ministers, and loving subjects in Our said Commonwealth, and all others whom it may concern, to take due notice hereof, and to give their ready obedience accordingly.

Given at Our Court at Saint James’s this Twenty-ninth day of October, 1900, in the Sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

Commission appointing

The Right Honourable the Earl of HOPETOUN, P.C., K.T., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., to be Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Australia.

HIS Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified that the undermentioned gentlemen have this day been chosen and summoned to be Members of the Federal Executive Council, and have been sworn as Executive Councillors, viz.:—

HIS Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified that His Excellency, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, has established the following Departments of State of the Commonwealth, viz.:—

HIS Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified that he has this day appointed the undermentioned Members of the Federal Executive Council to administer the Departments of State respectively set opposite their names, viz.:—

HIS Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified that he has been pleased to appoint the following Officers to his Staff:—

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S STAFF

Captain E. W. Wallington, 3rd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, to be Private Secretary;

Mr. C. Savile Gore, to be Assistant Private Secretary;

Major The Hon. Claude Willoughby, 9th Lancers, to be Military Secretary;

Captain Bertram d’Corbet, Reserve of Officers, to be Aide-de-Camp;

Lieutenant R. W. Duff, Forfar and Kincardine Artillery, to be Extra Aide-de-Camp.

EDMUND BARTON.

HIS Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified that arrangements have been made for publishing the “COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA GAZETTE.”

NEW SOUTH WALES: Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, by William Applegate Gullick, at Philip-street, Sydney, 1st January 1901.

[Price, 6d.]

No 2, 1901

NEW SOUTH WALES: Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, by William Applegate Gullick, at Philip-street, Sydney, 23rd January, 1901.

No 3, 1901

NEW SOUTH WALES: Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, by William Applegate Gullick, at Philip-street, Sydney, 24th January, 1901.

No 1, 1902

Published by Authority.

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION ACT 1901

HIS Excellency the Governor-General in Council has approved that the following Regulations be made under the provisions of section 16 of the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, such Regulations to take effect on and from this date.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION ACT 1901

Definition

1. In these Regulations, “the Act” means the Immigration Restriction Act 1901.

Powers and Duties of Officers.

2. Except as provided in section 6 of the Act, an officer shall not allow a prohibited immigrant to enter the Commonwealth.

3. For the purpose of examination, an officer may detain for a period not exceeding 24 hours, in such place and in such custody as he thinks fit, any person whom he reasonably supposes to be a prohibited immigrant within the meaning of paragraph (c) or (d) of section of the Act.

4. Any officer may, at any time, enter into or upon any vessel other than a public vessel of any Government, and may search, or cause a search to be made, in every part of the vessel, for the purpose of determining whether any prohibited immigrant is on board.

5. Any person who claims to be excepted from the Act, as being—

(a) possessed of a certificate of exemption; or

(b) duly accredited to the Government of the Commonwealth, or by the Imperial, or any other Government, or sent by any Government on any special mission,

shall, when required by an officer, produce the certificate or credentials.

6. Any person who is domiciled in the Commonwealth, and is leaving the Commonwealth temporarily, and who desires on his return to be excepted from the Act, under paragraph (n) of section 3 thereof, may apply to the Collector of Customs at the port of departure for a certificate of domicile.

The Collector, upon being satisfied that he is so domiciled, and upon being supplied with such particulars as he may require for the identification of the applicant, shall give him a certificate in the form of the Schedule hereto.

Upon returning to the Commonwealth, the applicant shall deliver the certificate to an officer at the port of landing; and if he satisfies the officer of his identity, he shall be deemed not to be a prohibited immigrant.

Offences.

7. Every person shall answer all questions which are put to him by an officer, and which are, in the opinion of the officer, necessary for determining whether he or any other person is a prohibited immigrant.

8. Any person who refuses to answer any question lawfully put to him by an officer, or who knowingly makes a false statement, either in answer to any such question, or in applying to an officer for any certificate under the Act or these Regulations, or in connexion with any such certificate, shall be guilty of an offence against these Regulations.

9. Any person who, with intent to contravene or evade the Act, or these Regulations, or without just cause or excuse, transfers or delivers up to any other person any certificate or credentials referred to m the Act or in these Regulations, shall be guilty of an offence against these Regulations.

10. Any person who, with intent to contravene or evade the Act, or these Regulations, or without just cause or excuse, has in his possession—

(a) a certificate of exemption or of domicile which does not belong to him; or

(b) any certificate or credentials referred to in the Act or in these Regulations, and not belonging to him; or

(c) any such certificate for credential which is forged or false;

shall be guilty of an offence against these Regulations.

Duties of Masters.

11. The master of every vessel, other thon a public vessel of any Government, arriving at any port in the Commonwealth, from parts beyond the Commonwealth, with any passengers on board for that port, shall, before making entry at the Customs, deliver to an officer a list of all such passengers, specifying, to the best Of his knowledge, the name, the nationality, the place of shipment, and the calling and occupation of each such passenger.

12. The master of every vessel, other than a public vessel of any Government, arriving at a port in the Commonwealth from parts beyond the Commonwealth, shall, if required by an officer, deliver to an officer a list showing the number and names of the crew, and their nationality, and produce the vessel’s articles.

13. The master of every vessel, other than a public vessel of any Government, arriving at any port within the Commonwealth, from parts beyond the Commonwealth, and having amongst her crew any persons not of European race or descent Shall forthwith upon arrival, and before making any entry at the Customs, produce for the inspection of an officer, a list showing the number and names of such persons, and their nationality.

14. The master of every vessel shall afford to an officer every facility for performing his duties. and shall answer all questions which are put to him by the officer, and which are, in the opinion of the officer, necessary for determining whether any person is a prohibited immigrant. And no person shall obstruct or hinder an officer in the carrying out of the Act or of these Regulations.

15. The approved sureties mentioned in section 7 of the Act shall be such sureties as are approved by the Minister or by a State Collector of Customs. The sureties shall enter into a bond, conditioned to become void if the immigrant leaves the Commonwealth within one month.

Note.—A person guilty of any offence against these Regulations is, under section 18 of the Act, liable upon summary conviction to not exceeding £50, and in default of payment to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any period not exceeding three months.

Schedule

Commonwealth of Australia.

Immigration Restriction Act 1901.

CERTIFICATE OF DOMINCILE

I, Collector of Customs at the port of hereby certify that hereinafter described, has satisfied me that he is domiciled in the Commonwealth, and is leaving the Commonwealth temporarily.

(Insert description)

Collector.

The day of 1902.

Note.—This certificate must be returned by the applicant. If it is delivered, without just cause or excuse, to any other person, both the person delivering it and the person receiving it are guilty of an offence against the Regulations, and are liable, upon summary conviction, to a penalty not exceeding £50, and in default of payment to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for any period not exceeding six months.

APPOINTMENTS OF OFFICERS TO ISSUE PERMITS TO PERSONS DESIROUS OF LANDING IN BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA.

HIS Excellency the Governor-General in Council has approved that the following persons be authorized to issue permits to persons desirous of leaving ports in the State placed against the name of each officer for ports in British South Africa, namely:—

Victoria.—Atlee Authur Hunt, Secretary, Department of External Affairs (with power to appoint deputies).

New South Wales.—Richard Cornelious Critchett Walker C.M.G., J.P., Principal Under-Secretary.

Queensland.—James Brunton Stephens, Under-Secretary, Chief Secretary’s Department.

South Australia.—Lionel Henry Sholl, J.P., Under-Secretary, Chief Secretary’s Department.

Tasmania.—Frank Lovett, Under-Secretary, Chief Secretary’s Department.

EDMUND BARTON.

CONSULAR ARRANGEMENTS

HIS Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified for general information that from the 25th December, 1902 W. L. Bosschart, Esq., Consul-General for the Netherlands, will take charge of the Italian interests in Australia, vice Cav. Pasquale Corte, Consul-General for Italy in Australia, absent on leave.

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

No 54, 1958

[Registered at the General Post Office, Melbourne, for transmission by post as a newspaper.]

'

PROCLAMATION

By His Excellency the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia.

WHEREAS by sub-section (1.) of section two of the Christmas Island Act 1958 it is provided that Part I. of that Act shall come into operation on the day on which that Act receives the Royal Assent:

And whereas that Act received the Royal Assent on the second day of September, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight:

And whereas by sub-section (2.) of section two of that Act it is provided that the remaining provisions of that Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation:

And whereas by sub-section (3.) of section two of that Act it is provided that the date so fixed shall be the date on which Christmas Island is placed under the authority of the Commonwealth in pursuance of the Imperial Act entitled the Christmas Island Act, 1958:

And whereas by an Order in Council made in pursuance of that Imperial Act on the eleventh day of September, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight, the Queen has directed that Christmas Island shall be placed under the authority of the Commonwealth on the first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight:

Now therefore I, Sir William Joseph Slim, the Governor-General aforesaid, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby fix the first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight, as the date on which the remaining provisions of the Christmas Island Act 1958 shall come into operation.

By His Excellency’s Command,

PAUL HASLUCK Minister of State for Territories.

God save the Queen!

|No. | |Short Title of Ordinance. | |Price.

| | |s. d.

|1 of 1958 | Interpretation Ordinance 1958 | |0 8

|2 of 1958 | Laws Repeal Ordinance 1958 | |0 3

|3 of 1958 | |Administration Ordinance 1958 | |0 3

(Ex. Min. No. 215.)

PAUL HASLUCK, Minister of State for Territories

.

Printed and Publised for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

6439/58.—No. 54.—Price 6d.

Appointment revoked by the Governor-General – 20 September 2021

Commonwealth of Australia

Published by the Commonwealth of Australia | GOVERNMENT NOTICES

Government House Canberra ACT 2600

Appointment revoked by the Governor-General – 20 September 2021

His Excellency the Governor-General directs it to be notified, for general information, that:

a) He has revoked the appointment of:

The Hon Christian Porter MP as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.

By His Excellency’s Command

Paul Singer MVO Official Secretary to the Governor-General

Governor-General - Proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III

Commonwealth of Australia

Published by the Commonwealth of Australia | GOVERNMENT NOTICES

WHEREAS because of the death of our blessed and glorious Queen Elizabeth the Second, the Crown has solely and rightfully come to Prince Charles Philip Arthur George.

We, therefore, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and members of the Federal Executive Council, do now proclaim Prince Charles Philip Arthur George to be King Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Australia and his other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, and, with hearty and humble affection, we promise him faith and obedience.

May King Charles the Third have long and happy years to reign over us.

Given at Canberra this eleventh day of September, Two thousand and twenty two, and in the first year of His Majesty’s reign.

Signed and sealed with the Great Seal of Australia on 11 September 2022

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command

Anthony Albanese

Prime Minister

Notice of Decision on Application for Temporary Exemption: Lesbian Action Group

Commonwealth of Australia

Published by the Commonwealth of Australia | GOVERNMENT NOTICES

AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

SEX DISCRIMINATION ACT 1984 (Cth), Section 44(1)

NOTICE OF DECISION ON APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY EXEMPTION: LESBIAN ACTION GROUP

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) gives notice of its decision regarding an application made by Jean Taylor on behalf of the members of the Lesbian Action Group for a temporary exemption pursuant to s 44(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA).

1.01 THE APPLICATION

The applicant, Jean Taylor makes this application on behalf of herself and the members of the Lesbian Action Group (the Application).

The Lesbian Action Group comprises 8 individual members and describes itself in the Application as a not for profit, community based, ‘lesbian born female’ group, established to address the discrimination experienced by ‘lesbians born female’. The aims of the Lesbian Action Group include ‘to organise events for the benefit of the Lesbian communities and be politically active on behalf of Lesbians whenever we are challenged and discriminated against’.

The Lesbian Action Group makes this Application for a five-year exemption to hold regular lesbians born female only events, starting with a ‘Lesbians Born Female Only’ event to celebrate International Lesbian Day on 15 October 2023.

The event on 15 October 2023 was proposed to be held at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. The Victorian Pride Centre declined the booking on the basis that its exclusionary nature was inconsistent with the centre’s fundamental purpose and its object of ‘facilitating within the Victorian Pride Centre events in support of equality, diversity and inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community within Australian society’. The Lesbian Action Group wish to proceed with the Application and intend to approach another venue to hold the proposed event if the exemption is granted.

2.02 DECISION OF THE COMMISSION

The Commission has decided not to grant the temporary exemption sought by the Lesbian Action Group:

to host the proposed event on 15 October 2023 to celebrate International Lesbian Day and restrict attendees, organisers and advertising of the event to lesbians born female only

thereafter to hold regular lesbians born female only events.

3.03 CONSIDERATION AND REASONS

In reaching its decision, the Commission has considered the following:

the Application and submissions by the Lesbian Action Group

all further information provided by the Lesbian Action Group in relation to the Application

submissions from individuals, organisations and interested parties in relation to the Application

submissions from the Lesbian Action Group, individuals and organisations in response to the preliminary view issued by the Commission on 25 September 2023.

With the exception of the individual submissions, many of these documents are available on the Commission’s website at: https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemption-applications-under-sex-discrimination-act-1984-cth

In reaching its decision, the Commission had regard to the following:

the terms and objects of the SDA

the Commission Guidelines: Temporary Exemptions under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) 2009.

The history of the Application and the reasons for the Commission’s decision are set out below.

4.04 MEANING OF IMPORTANT TERMS

Unless the contrary intention appears, any term used in this decision and in the SDA has the same meaning in this decision as it has in the SDA.