Representatives of the LGBTIQA+ community have welcomed Labor’s Plan for LGBTIQA+ Equality unveiled today by equality spokesperson, Ella Haddad.

The Labor plan includes

– a minister for equality

– an effective ban on conversion practices, working with community on a model

– funding for services, support and advocacy, including almost $100,000 per year for Working It Out and $300,000 for Equality Tasmania

– delivery of an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan

– work towards a dedicated LGBTIQA+ health and mental health service

– new protections against hate crime

– financial redress for those who have historical gay and trans criminal convictions expunged

Working It Out CEO, Lynn Jarvis, said,

“We welcome Labor’s plan because it will improve health and welling outcomes for Tasmania’s LGBTIQA+ community.”

“It also builds on the current Liberal Government’s work to develop an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and Framework and the current Government’s funding for LGBTIQA+ services and advocacy.”

“Having an Equality Minister will also mean advocacy at the highest level for the needs of the LGBTIQA+ community.”

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“This is the most comprehensive LGBTIQA+ election policy Tasmanian Labor has ever presented because it covers law reform, services, representation and setting long-term goals.”

“Labor’s plan for an effective ban on conversion practices, better hate crime laws and financial redress for historic convictions are very welcome, as is its commitment to funding Equality Tasmania so we can advocate for LGBTIQA+ people in need”

“Most Tasmanians want our island to be friendly, open, equitable and inclusive, and it’s heartening to see Labor recognise this aspiration and rise to it.”

The current Liberal Government initiated the development of an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and Framework after it commissioned the largest-ever survey of the state’s LGBTIQA+ community. It has also provided funding for LGBTIQA+ support, training, services, advocacy and policy development. Last year it unveiled a law about conversion practices but that has been criticised for allowing many conversion practices to continue.  

A copy of Labor’s Plan is attached and can be found here: 

https://taslabor.org.au/news/policy-announcements/lgbtiqa-equality/

The Tasmanian Greens LGBTIQA+ policy can be found here:

https://tasgreensmps.org/policy/

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Lynn Jarvis on 0408 265 045.