SENATOR LOUISE PRATT & ARAM HOSIE

Louise Pratt is a Labor Senator for Western Australia. Prior to her election to the Senate Louise served as member of the West Australia Parliament from 2001 to 2007. She was the youngest woman ever elected to the Legislative Council at the time of her election, and the second openly lesbian woman to be elected to an Australian parliament. Louise has a long history of right activism, having served as a spokesperson for Gay and Lesbian Equality prior to entering Parliament, and playing an instrumental role in the introduction of gay and lesbian law reform in Western Australia.

Louise is pictured here with her partner, Aram Hosie, who is a transman and fellow queer rights activist.

Why have you chosen to represent this same-sex law reform campaign?

These reforms are the result of many long years of committed campaigning by community activists. They have been such a long time coming, and so I am incredibly proud to be have been able to vote for these reforms as a member of the Federal Labor Government which introduced them.

What sorts of same-sex discrimination have you as / anyone you know experienced?

Over many years I have seen and experience so many forms of daily discrimination - from knowing that my partner wouldn’t have access to my super if I died, to a lesbian I know getting charged capital gains tax on what was her family home. Lesbian mums I know were denied for too long a secure legal relationship with their child, whilst other people in the armed services were being denied relocation entitlements for their partner – the list is long unfortunately.

How do you think these reforms will make a difference to your life, or to the lives of those close to you?

Life is complex enough without having to work your way through discriminatory laws. It’s great just to know that in daily life we have the same rights and entitlements as other couples. It makes a difference to the way you feel about your place in the world – to know that when you walk into an office, business or government agency that you can declare you are in a same sex relationship and know you will be treated equally.

Why do you think people should wear these 85 law reforms with pride?

These reforms are the result of a collective, community effort, they are an achievement we can all celebrate and represent a real step forward in achieving equality for same-sex couples.

Why do you think this is a huge step forward for Australia?

This is a huge step because taken together, the 85 reforms accord same-sex couples substantive equality, that is, access to all the same legal entitlements and protections as are afforded to heterosexual couples.

What do you like about your T-Shirt design?

I really like the poppies on this shirt – they remind me that, whilst not always visible, gay and lesbian people have of course always been a part of Australia’s history, making a significant contribution to the country, including during times of war. It is good that the gay and lesbian veterans, and their partners, can now finally be given the recognition they deserve.

Back to top