NSW moves to expunge historical convictions for gay sex

A NSW government MP has introduced a bill to clear the records of men convicted of having gay sex under historical laws.

Thirty years ago gay men faced jail time for homosexuality-related offences in NSW.

The member for Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith, introduced his private member’s bill in the NSW parliament on Thursday which he said would correct the wrongs of the past.

“No one should have to continue to suffer the disadvantage of having a criminal conviction for sexual activity with another consenting adult,” he told the chamber.

“This bill allows these convictions to be extinguished and delivers a socially just and responsible outcome.”

Earlier this week the Victorian government introduced similar legislation.

The Human Rights Law Centre has applauded the NSW move and says unknown numbers of men live with barriers to work and travel because of their convictions.

The advocacy group says acknowledging the laws were wrong would start to heal the harm they had caused.

The Victorian government decriminalised homosexual acts in 1981; NSW decriminalised it in 1984.

Notley-Smith’s bill, if passed, would also allow women and transgender people to apply for convictions to be extinguished.

Debate on the bill was adjourned.