Fridae

According to the latest poll of 400 West Australians last week, a massive 86 per cent support ending discrimination against homosexuals in housing and employment, reports the The West Australian.

However, an increased number are against lowering the age of consent for gay males to 16 to bring it in line with that for heterosexual sex and other States. The poll, which was conducted by the paper showed an increase of 8 per cent from 52 per cent in April.

Interestingly, less than half of West Australians - 49 per cent - support the age of consent for heterosexual sex being 16 years, the existing law.

More than half of those polled - 55 per cent - believe that gay and lesbian couples should have the same legal rights as married couples.

The poll also revealed clear opposition to gay couples having access to adoption programs and IVF technology, with only 29 per cent supporting it.

Liberal leader Colin Barnett supports ending discrimination against gay couples in employment and housing, among other things, and said the Opposition would support those parts of the Bill without delay.

He added that the poll results justified his calls for the Government to split the Bill so that the controversial issues of lowering the age of consent and access to adoption and IVF could be debated further by the community.

The paper reported that the Government will push ahead with the entire Bill and, with the support of the Greens in the Upper House, will not need Opposition support.

Attorney-General Jim McGinty said the Government wanted to end discrimination against gays in all aspects of their lives and he was heartened by the 86 per cent support.