LGBTIQA+ Taskforce fourth term meeting outcomes

On 6 December the eighth and final meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQA+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

Safety and security policy discussion

Taskforce discussed ongoing protests targeting communities, including in regional areas. Taskforce noted the timeliness of the launch to provide safe spaces for young people. The Unit continues to play a coordination role across the Government to address safety and security and is coordinating with other portfolios that support communities with lived experiences of vilification. Consultation is being fed into the whole of Victorian Government anti-vilification response.

Community co-chair overview of Term

The Taskforce community co-chair reflected on the activities and achievements of the group of Term 4, in particular noting the launch of Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-23, the development of an outcomes framework to measure impact of the strategy over time, as well as the range of policy and program advice provided to ex-officio member departments and others. The community co-chair noted while this significant work program, there remains more work to be done in order to achieve the LGBTIQA+ strategy’s vision and aims.

Next meeting

Members of the fifth term of the LGBTIQA+ Taskforce are currently being appointed and will meet in early 2024.

On 5 September the seventh meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQA+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

LGBTIQ+ community roundtable: feedback and progress

Taskforce discussed the community roundtable hosted by the Minister for Equality in August 2024, which considered recent protests and the rise in vilification targeting LGBTIQA+ communities. The Equality Unit is playing a coordination role across government to consider ways to address emerging issues.

Mental Health reforms policy and discussion

The Department of Health provided an overview of the establishment of mental health and wellbeing ‘locals’, which were a key recommendation of the Mental Health Royal Commission. The Department is also developing a Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy and a Diverse Communities Framework, which will include a focus on LGBTIQA+ communities.

Departmental and Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities updates

Department representatives provided updates on their department’s implementation of LGBTIQ+ strategy actions and broader LGBTIQA+ initiatives, with particular focus on the opening of Q+Law, intersex protection system reforms and the Commissioner’s work leading yarning circles across regional Victoria and an event in Trans Awareness Week to celebrate safe spaces for LGBTIQA+ people and Rainbow Families.

Preparation for conclusion of Term 4

Taskforce discussed preparation of a final report back at the finalisation of term 4.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQA+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 6 December 2023.

On 14 June 2023 the sixth meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

2023-24 state budget outcomes – Equality portfolio

Members were provided a summary on the 2023-24 state budget outcomes for LGBTIQ+ communities.

Reporting

Taskforce discussed the LGBTIQ+ Strategy’s annual commitment to report on the delivery of strategy’s actions under each priority area, as well as opportunities to distribute the report.

Priority area 3: Outcomes framework and data collection

Taskforce discussed ways to strengthen the Outcomes Framework refined list of measures as well as made suggestions on additional measures to capture.

Victorian Public Service departments update

Department representatives provided updates on their department’s implementation of LGBTIQ+ strategy actions and broader LGBTIQ+ initiatives, with particular focus on Safe Schools and the program’s influence on sport inclusivity in education settings, including in specialist schools.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQ+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 5 September 2023.

On 30 March 2023 the fifth meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

Election commitments

Members were provided a summary on the Victorian Government’s $22.25 LGBTIQ+ election commitments by the Minister for Equality. Members discussed foundational principles to embed in design and opportunities to define scope and focus. This included discussion around holistic investment, intersectionality, sustainability and scalability of funding, as well as leveraging existing networks, services and support to maximise potential.

Victorian Public Service departments update

Department representatives provided updates on their department’s implementation of LGBTIQ+ strategy actions and broader LGBTIQ+ initiatives. Particular focus was given to discussing intersex reforms and the outcome of the LGBTIQ+ Legal Service open and competitive grant round facilitated by the Department of Justice and Community Service.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQ+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 14 June 2023.

On 20 October 2022 the fourth meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

LGBTIQ+ strategy implementation - early initiatives

Members were updated on the development of an outcomes framework for LGBTIQ+ Strategy work, as well as on research to support the development of LGBTIQ+ public awareness campaigns. Taskforce made framework improvement suggestions.

Suicide among LGBTIQ+ people report

Taskforce discussed findings made by the Coroners Court of Victoria’s report on LGBTIQ+ suicide data and the gaps in data it presented.

Victorian Public Service departments update

Department representatives provided updates on their department’s implementation of LGBTIQ+ strategy actions and broader LGBTIQ+ initiatives.

LGBTIQ+ Taskforce forward look into 2023

Priorities for Taskforce in 2023 will be collated and shared out of session.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQ+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 30 March 2023.

On 9 August 2022 the third meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

Intersex protection system

The Department of Health provided an update on work under (i) Am Equal: Future directions for Victoria’s Intersex community to implement a proposed approach to developing an intersex protection system. The Taskforce and other key stakeholder groups will be consulted as the work progresses.

Update on early Pride in our future actions

Members were updated on the development of an outcomes framework and research to support the development of LGBTIQ+ public awareness campaigns. The Taskforce is providing out of session feedback on both these initiatives.

LGBTIQ+ family violence reform initiatives evaluations

Family Safety Victoria presented to the Taskforce on two evaluations being completed on LGBTIQ+ family violence reform initiatives. These evaluations are being taking place five years on from Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence. Taskforce members provided feedback on the evaluation approach.

Victorian Public Service departments update

Department representatives provided updates on their department’s implementation of LGBTIQ+ strategy actions and broader LGBTIQ+ initiatives.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQ+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 20 October 2022.

On 2 June 2022 the second meeting of the fourth term of the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce was held.

Matters considered

2022-23 Budget Outcomes

An overview of $14.7 million in funding allocated through the 2022-23 State Budget to support the implementation of Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022–32 was provided. Opportunities for future engagement in the development of key initiatives was discussed by members.

Taskforce engagement to support strategy implementation

Building on earlier discussions around the fourth term priorities of the Taskforce, a schedule for initial Taskforce engagement in activities to the implementation of the LGBTIQ+ strategy was presented. In considering these members also raised additional areas where they felt Taskforce engagement would be of value.

Victorian Public Service departments update

Department representatives provided updates on their department’s budget outcomes, implementation of LGBTIQ+ strategy actions and broader LGBTIQ+ initiatives.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQ+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 9 August 2022.

On 17 February 2022, the fourth term of the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce held its first meeting.

Matters considered

Introduction to Victorian public service departments

Department representatives provided an overview of their department’s LGBTIQ+ initiatives and priorities.

Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022–32

Following the release of Victoria’s first whole-of-government LGBTIQ+ strategy, Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022–32, Taskforce members discussed their role in supporting the delivery of the LGBTIQ+ Strategy, including supporting the development of early actions and engaging with LGBTIQ+ communities across Victoria.

Fourth term priorities

Taskforce members discussed the priorities for their two-year term, including the opportunities to ensure their advice to government is informed by the diversity of LGBTIQ+ experiences and considers environmental factors, like the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on LGBTIQ+ communities.

Next meeting

The next LGBTIQ+ Taskforce meeting is scheduled on 31 May 2022.