The UNHRC decision effectively called on the federal Keating Government to overturn Tasmania 's anti-homosexuality laws .
Keating and his Attorney - General Michael Lavarch were initially slow to act , considering it a low - priority issue .
Although the UNHRC decision effectively called on the federal Keating Government to overturn Tasmania 's anti-homosexuality laws , Keating and his Attorney - General Michael Lavarch were initially slow to act , considering it a low - priority issue .