Expungement of Historic Offences Bill 2017 (No. 17)

Ms Armitage (Launceston) - Madam Acting President, I was not going to speak because this matter has been covered well by members who have spoken today. I acknowledge the honourable Vanessa Goodwin, who, it was noted in the other place, is the champion of this bill.

I agree with this bill. It is appropriate to expunge these historical offences. People, whoever they are, whether male or female, need to be who they are. It is sad people had to hide who they were. We are all different. We have our good and bad parts. We are all individuals. The expungement of these offences is good. It will not help many who have passed on. I do not believe they should have been charged for being who they were. It is sad people did not feel able to publicly be who they were. I am pleased people can now go about their lives without having to hide and be who they are in private.

I support the bill. It is very appropriate that whoever you are - male, female, whatever - you have the right to be who you are.Ms Armitage (Launceston) - Madam Acting President, I was not going to speak because this matter has been covered well by members who have spoken today. I acknowledge the honourable Vanessa Goodwin, who, it was noted in the other place, is the champion of this bill. I agree with this bill. It is appropriate to expunge these historical offences. People, whoever they are, whether male or female, need to be who they are. It is sad people had to hide who they were. We are all different. We have our good and bad parts. We are all individuals. The expungement of these offences is good. It will not help many who have passed on. I do not believe they should have been charged for being who they were. It is sad people did not feel able to publicly be who they were. I am pleased people can now go about their lives without having to hide and be who they are in private. I support the bill. It is very appropriate that whoever you are - male, female, whatever - you have the right to be who you are.