LGBTQI+ group calls for its own voice-like council to advise the government on issues facing gay and transgender people
- LGBTQI+ groups are demanding their own advisory body in NSW
- Equality Australia is leading the call for better representation
Sydney’s LGBTQI+ community has demanded the NSW Labor government make good on its promise to set up an advisory body on issues specific to gay and transgender people.
A renewed bid for better representation of LGBTQI+ groups in NSW follows the formation of the historic Faith Affairs Council this month.
The council, which was established this month, will play a direct advisory role to the NSW government on faith-related issues, programs and policies. It will consist of representatives of a wide range of religious faiths.
Now Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to make good on his promise to form an LGBTQI+ specific council.
Mr Kassisieh said almost every other state and territory already has a process in place that allows the 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 pledged at the last election to do the same with an LGBTIQ+ advisory council and a whole-of-government LGBTIQ+ inclusion strategy.”
Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh calls for an LGBTQI+ advisory body following the formation of the NSW Faith Affairs Council this month
LGBTQI+ groups in NSW have called for their own advisory body to help the government on issues specific to gay and transgender residents
Mr Kassisieh said the state could achieve better results if the LGBTQI+ community had direct input into the policies that affect their lives.
“We look forward to the NSW Government delivering on its commitment and developing a strategy to span service delivery across all areas of government, from health and education to housing and justice, to meet the needs and lives of LGBTIQ+ -to improve people,” he said. .
Government Leader in the Legislative Council Penny Sharpe confirmed that the state is still committed to establishing an LGBTQI+ council.
“The government remains committed to the establishment of an LGBT Advisory Council and we will work closely with community advocates from across the state as we work to make this a reality,” she said.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich has welcomed the initiative, which he said would promote better engagement with LGBTQI+ organizations across NSW.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich has welcomed the initiative, which would see ministers work closely with LGBTQI+ organizations across NSW