This Eyewitness News report from 12 November 1980 captures a turning point in Victoria’s legal history: the introduction of the Crimes (Sexual Offences) Bill 1980, the landmark legislation that decriminalised homosexuality and changed related laws in the Crimes Act 1958, Evidence Act 1958 and Summary Offences Act.

Driven by years of grassroots activism from local gay rights groups and their supporters, the bill marked a major legal breakthrough for gay Victorians. It passed on 23 December 1980 and took effect on 1 March 1981, making Victoria the third Australian jurisdiction to decriminalise male homosexuality, after South Australia (1975) and the ACT (1976).

Reporter Mike Hamilton outlines the bill’s focus on protecting individuals from sexual exploitation while safeguarding personal privacy, and speaks with Jamie Gardiner of the Homosexual Law Reform Coalition. The report also highlights what the bill left out: sex worker law reform, which would not be achieved until February 2022 – more than 40 years later.