❓ Mr. Aubrey questions the Minister for Youth on the government's LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategy. The Minister outlines the strategy's development, funding, and consultation with community organisations.
AnsweredQoN 222Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LGBTQIA+
INCLUSION STRATEGY
222. Mr S.N. AUBREY to the Minister for Youth:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's recent
announcement of a new whole-of-government LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategy.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how a coordinated whole-of-government approach will
promote equality and see better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house how this strategy is being developed in
consultation with the LGBTQIA+ community?
INCLUSION STRATEGY
222. Mr S.N. AUBREY to the Minister for Youth:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's recent
announcement of a new whole-of-government LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategy.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how a coordinated whole-of-government approach will
promote equality and see better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house how this strategy is being developed in
consultation with the LGBTQIA+ community?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Scarborough for the question and acknowledge his continued
advocacy in this space. It was a pleasure to
join the members for Scarborough and Nedlands, as well as the member for the Mining and Pastoral Region in the other place, recently to celebrate the
announcement alongside members of our LGBTQIA+ community. Our government
believes that equality and freedom from discrimination are fundamental human
rights that belong to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity. Unfortunately, we know that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, intersex, asexual and plus people can often face discrimination, stigma
and social exclusion because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,
which can contribute to poorer health, social, economic and mental health
outcomes. That is why the Cook Labor government has committed $900 000 to
develop our state's first whole-of-government strategy to drive
inclusiveness for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians so they experience the full
benefits of active social and economic participation throughout all stages of
life.
With the development of a comprehensive
whole-of-government strategy to support people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the
Cook government proudly continues its commitment to equity and inclusion in WA, which underpins our government's
commitment to valuing all people who live and work in our great state . Just today, the Premier and the Attorney General
announced that trans and gender-diverse Western Australians will no
longer be required to undergo medical or surgical reassignment to formally
register a change of sex or gender under proposed reforms to be introduced in
Parliament this week. That is because the Cook Labor government will always do what is right by WA and our LGBTQIA+
community. Our government's inclusion strategy will be led by
the Department of Communities and complement existing state strategies that
already support LGBTQIA+ inclusion in specific areas such as youth and health.
To support the development and
implementation of the strategy, funding will be provided to three
not-for-profit community organisations over two years. They are Living
Proud, which provides support to LGBTQIA+ people and communities in WA through
peer support information and resources; TransFolk of WA, a peer support service
for transgender people and their loved ones in WA that informs, empowers and
advocates for trans and gender-diverse people to survive and thrive; and GLBTI
Rights in Ageing, or GRAI, a voluntary group that works to enhance quality of
life for LGBTI elders, focusing on promoting the voices, expertise and lived
experience of older LGBTI people in the wider community. Rainbow Futures WA, a consortium
of WA-based LGBTQIA+ organisations and individuals who have advocated
tirelessly for this initiative and other related reforms, will also be an
important contributor to the development and implementation of the strategy.
These
organisations, along with other well-connected and trusted community groups,
prominent individuals and subject matter experts, will also form part of
a reference group currently being established that will advise the Department
of Communities how best to engage the LGBTQIA+ community, the associated
community services sector and, more broadly, the public and how to encourage
cross-organisational perspectives, and will provide organisational and personal
expertise and experience from the LGBTQIA+ community
to best inform the development of the strategy. The reference group will also
drive c onsultation with the community to ensure that the lives and
wellbeing of all LGBTQIA+ Western Australians remain at the core of the
strategy's goals. In addition, a peak body will be established and
supported to implement the strategy. Through this model, as well as targeted
support and strong partnerships, our government's coordinated whole-of-government approach to
developing the strategy will mean better integration b etween government agencies, including the Departments of
Communities, Education and Health, and the Mental Health Commission,
which will mean better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians. Our strategy
will complement the important reforms that are currently being led by the
Attorney General, like the abolishment of the antiquated Gender Reassignment
Board, which will bring WA into line with all other states and territories.
The SPEAKER : Just before I take
the next question, Minister for Housing, if you walk into the chamber between
the member on their feet and the Speaker, you need to pause and seek permission
before taking your seat. The Leader of the Opposition with the last question.
thank the member for Scarborough for the question and acknowledge his continued
advocacy in this space. It was a pleasure to
join the members for Scarborough and Nedlands, as well as the member for the Mining and Pastoral Region in the other place, recently to celebrate the
announcement alongside members of our LGBTQIA+ community. Our government
believes that equality and freedom from discrimination are fundamental human
rights that belong to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity. Unfortunately, we know that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, intersex, asexual and plus people can often face discrimination, stigma
and social exclusion because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,
which can contribute to poorer health, social, economic and mental health
outcomes. That is why the Cook Labor government has committed $900 000 to
develop our state's first whole-of-government strategy to drive
inclusiveness for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians so they experience the full
benefits of active social and economic participation throughout all stages of
life.
With the development of a comprehensive
whole-of-government strategy to support people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the
Cook government proudly continues its commitment to equity and inclusion in WA, which underpins our government's
commitment to valuing all people who live and work in our great state . Just today, the Premier and the Attorney General
announced that trans and gender-diverse Western Australians will no
longer be required to undergo medical or surgical reassignment to formally
register a change of sex or gender under proposed reforms to be introduced in
Parliament this week. That is because the Cook Labor government will always do what is right by WA and our LGBTQIA+
community. Our government's inclusion strategy will be led by
the Department of Communities and complement existing state strategies that
already support LGBTQIA+ inclusion in specific areas such as youth and health.
To support the development and
implementation of the strategy, funding will be provided to three
not-for-profit community organisations over two years. They are Living
Proud, which provides support to LGBTQIA+ people and communities in WA through
peer support information and resources; TransFolk of WA, a peer support service
for transgender people and their loved ones in WA that informs, empowers and
advocates for trans and gender-diverse people to survive and thrive; and GLBTI
Rights in Ageing, or GRAI, a voluntary group that works to enhance quality of
life for LGBTI elders, focusing on promoting the voices, expertise and lived
experience of older LGBTI people in the wider community. Rainbow Futures WA, a consortium
of WA-based LGBTQIA+ organisations and individuals who have advocated
tirelessly for this initiative and other related reforms, will also be an
important contributor to the development and implementation of the strategy.
These
organisations, along with other well-connected and trusted community groups,
prominent individuals and subject matter experts, will also form part of
a reference group currently being established that will advise the Department
of Communities how best to engage the LGBTQIA+ community, the associated
community services sector and, more broadly, the public and how to encourage
cross-organisational perspectives, and will provide organisational and personal
expertise and experience from the LGBTQIA+ community
to best inform the development of the strategy. The reference group will also
drive c onsultation with the community to ensure that the lives and
wellbeing of all LGBTQIA+ Western Australians remain at the core of the
strategy's goals. In addition, a peak body will be established and
supported to implement the strategy. Through this model, as well as targeted
support and strong partnerships, our government's coordinated whole-of-government approach to
developing the strategy will mean better integration b etween government agencies, including the Departments of
Communities, Education and Health, and the Mental Health Commission,
which will mean better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians. Our strategy
will complement the important reforms that are currently being led by the
Attorney General, like the abolishment of the antiquated Gender Reassignment
Board, which will bring WA into line with all other states and territories.
The SPEAKER : Just before I take
the next question, Minister for Housing, if you walk into the chamber between
the member on their feet and the Speaker, you need to pause and seek permission
before taking your seat. The Leader of the Opposition with the last question.
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