Overview
- Parliament approved the legislation on Thursday with unanimous government support, with Attorney-General Guy Barnett framing the move as practical compassion.
- Payments are set at $15,000 for those charged, $45,000 for those convicted, and $75,000 for those fined or jailed under the former offences.
- Eligibility covers people targeted under historic homosexuality and cross-dressing laws, which Tasmania repealed in 1997 and 2001 respectively after earlier apologies and expungement measures.
- Advocates say many eligible people have died and estimate roughly 100 Tasmanians were arrested or convicted, suggesting a modest number of applications despite significant symbolic impact.
- Campaigners including Rodney Croome and Paula Gerber urge expansion to include relatives of deceased victims and call on other states and territories to adopt similar redress programs.