LGBTQI+ group calls for own council to advise government on issues facing gay and trans people
- LGBTQI+ groups demand their own advisory body in NSW
- Equality Australia leads the call for better representation
Sydney’s LGBTQI+ community has called on the NSW Labor government to deliver on its promise to establish an advisory body on gay and transgender issues.
A new bid for better representation of LGBTQI+ groups in NSW follows the creation of the Religious Affairs Council this month.
The council, established this month, will play a direct advisory role to the NSW Government on faith-related issues, programs and policies. It will be composed of representatives of various religious denominations.
Now Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to follow through on his commitment to form a specific LGBTQI+ council.
Mr Kassisieh said almost every other state and territory already had a process in place for government to better engage with LGBTQI+ groups.
“All groups deserve to be heard by government on issues that affect their lives, including people of faith, LGBTQI+ people and those of us who belong to both groups,” Mr Kassisieh told Daily Mail Australia .
“The Minns Government committed to doing the same at the last election with an LGBTIQ+ advisory council and a whole-of-government LGBTIQ+ inclusion strategy.”
Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh is pushing for the creation of an LGBTQI+ advisory body following the establishment of the NSW Faith Affairs Council this month.
LGBTQI+ groups in New South Wales have called for the creation of their own advisory body to help guide the government on issues specific to gay and transgender residents.
Kassissieh said the state could achieve better results if the LGBTQI+ community had direct input into policies that affect their lives.
“We look forward to the NSW Government honoring its commitment and developing a strategy to cover service delivery across all areas of government, from health care and education to housing and justice, to meet the needs and improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ people,” he said. .
Government Leader in the Legislative Council, Penny Sharpe, confirmed the state remains committed to establishing an LGBTQI+ council.
“The government remains committed to establishing an LGBT advisory council and we will work closely with community advocates across our state to achieve this,” she said.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich welcomed the initiative which he said would promote better engagement with LGBTQI+ organizations in NSW.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich welcomed the initiative, which would allow government ministers to work closely with LGBTQI+ organizations in NSW.
