Gender removed from Queensland driver's licences 'following LGBTI complaints'
The Queensland government's decision to remove gender from driver's licences came following complaints from the LGBTI community, News Corp reports.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) confirmed the change made in 2016, along with the removal of a drivers’ height, in a bid to make them more compliant with new federal anti-discrimination laws.
News Corp reports a leaked document suggests the decision to remove gender and height from the licences came after complaints that collecting the information may be discriminatory.
Further information including eye and hair colour have also been removed from records attached to licences.
“TMR has received complaints and suggestions from members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community about displaying gender/sex (M or F) on TMR cards,” the document states.
“TMR has received feedback that the collection of personal information (eye and hair colour, complexion, height) may be perceived as discriminatory by some members of the community.”
The Queensland government confirmed while there had been complaints, moving in line with the new anti-discrimination laws sparked the change.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington slammed the state government for spending so much money and focus on the issue.
“It is offensive to taxpayers that their hard-earned money has been wasted on this rubbish,” she said.
A spokesperson for NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby told Yahoo7 News that the decision is a step in the right direction and said she hopes other states follow suit sooner rather than later.
“A person’s gender in regards to their capacity to drive is completely irrelevant,” the spokesperson said.
"Age, name and address is there already, why do you need to know someone's gender?
“It’s part of the process of change.”
