âProtection racketâ: Victoria isolated after WA acts on Crown findings
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Victoria is growing increasingly isolated in its tepid response to evidence that organised crime syndicates infiltrated Crown Melbourne and used the casinoâs bank accounts to launder drug money, after Western Australia launched an independent review of the groupâs casino licence.
The WA government on Wednesday ordered an inquiry with royal commission powers to review the James Packer-backed groupâs Perth casino licence as well as the effectiveness of the stateâs gambling watchdog and laws, a week after the long-running NSW Bergin inquiry ruled Crown was unfit to operate its yet-to-open Sydney casino.
Protection racket : Victoria isolated after WA acts on Crown findings smh.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smh.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Those found to have engaged in conversion practices that result in serious injury will face penalties of up to 10 years’ jail or up to $10,000 in fines.
In supporting the bill, Animal Justice party MP Andy Meddick described himself as the proud father of two “perfect” transgender children.
“They do not need fixing,” he said. “Nor do any other children or adults who do not fit an often religiously held belief that sexuality and gender are binary only.”
Labor’s Harriet Shing, the first openly lesbian member of Victorian parliament, acknowledged conversion therapy victims and survivor groups who have advocated for the ban for many years.
The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill makes it illegal to attempt to change or suppress a person s sexual orientation or gender identity, carrying a penalty of 10 years jail or fines up to $10,000.
It also gives investigative powers to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and the ability to refer matters to police.
Parliament of Victoria, where the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill passed late on Thursday evening.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Victorian Parliament s only openly gay MP, Harriet Shing, said the legislation is an important move to recognise the pain and the trauma and the hurt of victims and survivors ,