Gun lobbyist ordered to pay lesbians

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Gun lobbyist ordered to pay lesbians

Queensland gun lobbyist Ron Owen has been ordered to pay three lesbians a total of $12,500 after a landmark decision handed down by the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.

Mr Owen, from the southeast Queensland town of Gympie, also was ordered to publish a statement in local newspaper The Gympie Times within 45 days, stating the tribunal had found he contravened the Anti-Discrimination Act, News Ltd says.

The tribunal found he had displayed a bumper sticker on a vehicle, published a report to the Cooloola Shire Council where he was a former councillor, made a comment in a television interview and published a letter on a website - all of which incited hatred, serious contempt for or severe ridicule of homosexuals.

Mr Owen also had to acknowledge his conduct was unlawful.

The tribunal ordered he should pay Richelle Menzies and Tina Coutts $5,000 each and Suzanne Turner $2,500. A complaint against a fourth woman, Rhonda Bruce, was dismissed.

Mr Owen, who defended the charges, said he would appeal the finding.

"I will keep appealing until the cows come home," he told the newspaper.

AAP

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