Children must be protected from abuse and exploitation and guided towards responsible adulthood. We see advantages in recognising the earlier de facto independence of many young people by lowering the voting age and the common age of consent to sixteen. We oppose the continued discrimination against women and would ensure equality of treatment in taxation and remuneration. We welcome the many gains to the cultural and social life of society that come from the diverse and varied experience and perceptions of those who are not conventionally heterosexual. We are concerned at their continued harassment and would repeal 'Section 28' and 'Section 25' and would examine other potentially discriminatory legislation with a view to amendment or repeal.
Liberals further call for the equalisation of the age of consent for sexual activity.
The gypsy and travelling communities are a constant source of friction. The current prejudice against their way of life and the haphazard provision of facilities contribute to the confrontational attitudes often taken up on both 'sides'. We wish to see a nationwide plan for permanent and transit sites, with a common educational provision for children. We believe that this is necessary to bring travelling people within the ambit of an acceptable legal framework which should also encourage attitudes of responsible citizenship from the travellers themselves. Liberals reject the patronising and often discriminatory treatment of older people.