
SA finally abolishes 'gay panic' defence
South Australia has abolished “gay panic” as a defence in crimes of violence with state parliament passing legislation to end the “downright offensive” provisions – the last state in Australia to do so.
South Australia has abolished “gay panic” as a defence in crimes of violence with state parliament passing legislation to end the “downright offensive” provisions – the last state in Australia to do so.
The South Australian Law Reform Institute says the state’s provocation law “indirectly sanctions lethal violence against those who seem to exhibit homosexual behaviour” and has recommended the removal of the so-called “gay panic” defence in the state.
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Premier Jay Weatherill will offer an historic apology to the state’s LGBTIQ community on Thursday, despite the fact that South Australia is set to be the only state in Australia where the so-called “gay panic” defence remains an option in the courts.