Qld could make 16 consent age for all sex

Queensland's government has appointed an expert panel to consider making 16 the age of consent for anal sex, like all other sex acts.

Queensland's government is considering making 16 years the legal age of consent for all sex acts, including anal sex.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath says an expert panel has been appointed to consider whether consent age for anal sex should be lowered from 18.

Queensland is the only state in Australia where the legal ages of consent for anal and vaginal sex are different.

"The government is aware of the claims of the LGBTI community in relation to this discrepancy, in particular their claims it is discriminatory," she told a budget estimates hearing on Wednesday.

"At the same time, the government recognises there are strong conflicting views held by Queenslanders about this issue."

Shadow attorney-general Ian Walker said the issue was not regularly raised with him in his suburban Brisbane electorate.

He also admitted that the Liberal National Party had not considered it until Ms D'Ath mentioned it on Thursday.

"It's the first time it has become a matter of public debate, as far as I'm aware," Mr Walker said.

He added that the LNP would wait until the review was completed and consider any proposal the government made.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world