There are claims the state’s higher legal age for anal sex is discriminatory and the government has set up an expert panel to consider lowering it

Age of consent for anal sex: Queensland to consider joining rest of Australia

Queensland’s government is considering making 16 years the legal age of consent for anal sex to bring it in line with the law for vaginal sex.

The state attorney general, Yvette D’Ath, says an expert panel has been appointed to consider lowering the age from 18. Queensland is the only state in Australia where the legal ages of consent for anal and vaginal sex are different.

“The government is aware of the claims of the LGBTI community in relation to this discrepancy, in particular their claims it is discriminatory,” D’Ath told a budget estimates hearing on Wednesday.

“At the same time, the government recognises there are strong conflicting views held by Queenslanders about this issue.”

Shadow attorney general Ian Walker said the issue was not regularly raised with him in his suburban Brisbane electorate.

He also admitted that the Liberal National party had not considered it until D’Ath mentioned it on Thursday.

“It’s the first time it has become a matter of public debate, as far as I’m aware,” Walker said.

He added that the LNP would wait until the review was completed and consider any proposal the government made.