The LGBTIQA+ Minister's Advisory Council provides the Minister for Human Services and the State Government with strategic advice about issues affecting LGBTIQA+ people. The Council helps the Department of Human Services in its role in leading LGBTIQA+ inclusion in South Australia.
Council members
- Anna Moffat
- Aston Hawkins-Nicholls
- Brett McAloney
- Jody Anderson
- Lucy Hackworth
- Lucy Solonsch - Chair
- Lysha Brinsley
- Megan Barnes
- Sean Henschke
- Steven Moran
- Tamara Young
- Varo
LGBTIQA+ Minister's Advisory Council outcome statements:
LGBTIQA+ Minister's Advisory Council - Meeting outcome statements
Update as at 27 February 2024
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council had their first meeting for 2024 on Tuesday 27 February. Along with meeting the Minister, the Council met with the Director for the Office for Women Dr Sanjugta Vas Dev and Equal Opportunity Commissioner Jodeen Carney.
Dr Vas Dev discussed the upcoming Domestic and Family Violence Royal Commission with the Council. The Council was provided with recent statistics on Domestic and Family Violence that relate to LGBTIQA+ victims. The Council was also advised of initiatives currently being undertaken to support LGBTIQA+ victims of Family and Domestic Violence. The Council wanted to make clear that while Family and Domestic Violence largely impacts women in heterosexual relationships, that the Royal Commission cannot ignore LGBTIQA+ victims and perpetrators and the complexity of those relationships.
In their meeting with the Equal Opportunity Commissioner, the Commissioner explained to the Council the function of the office and the process of complaints and processes for resolution. The Council discussed the need to promote Equal Opportunity SA and was very glad to learn of its function and capabilities. Another area of discussion were the religious exemptions to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA) and if there is the potential for these exemptions to be reviewed.
The Council’s discussion with the Minister largely centred on the importance of Conversion Practice ban legislation. The Minister and the Council discussed the need for appropriate supports for the LGBTIQA+ community, particularly survivors, during the debate and expected media coverage when the Bill does go for consultation. The Council intends to write to the relevant Ministers to advocate for an increase of services to support the LGBTIQA+ community and to the Premier to emphasise the importance of Conversion Practice ban legislation.
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council has their next meeting on 28 May 2024.
Update as at 7 November 2023
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council met for their 4th quarterly meeting on Tuesday 7 November 2023. In the absence of the Minister, the Council met with Mr Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, CEO of The Equality Project, Professor Martin Westwell, Chief Executive of Department for Education and provided feedback on the State-wide Gender Diversity Model of Care.
Mr Tuazon-McCheyne discussed with the Council The Equality Project’s current research project as part of the Fay Fuller Foundation grant they received. Mr Tuazon-McCheyne shared current trends that The Equality Project has found through the approximately 300 interviews and conversations that they have currently conducted with LGBTIQA+ people about what they are witnessing in the community and what they would like to change.
Professor Westwell shared with the Council what the Department for Education is doing to support inclusivity in their schools and sites to support LGBTIQA+ students and staff. Professor Westwell advised that Department for Education is ensuring a ‘student first’ approach is adopted by making sure that every students’ sense of belonging and well-being are prioritised factors.
The Council welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback on the recently released State-wide Gender Diversity Model of Care. The Council’s feedback focused on the implementation, and they emphasised the importance of having a dedicated budget, educating LHNs, GPs and health professionals as well as ensuring there are clear pathways to support.
The expression of interest process to fill two positions on the LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council closed on the 14 November 2023. Applications will be reviewed and the new members will be appointed before the end of 2023.
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council will meet again in 2024.
Update as at 19 September 2023
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council met for their third quarterly meeting on Tuesday 19 September 2023. Along with meeting with the Minister, the Council met with the Assistant Minister for Autism Hon Emily Bourke MLC and Kenton Miller from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
The Minister updated the Council on the approval of the Gender Diversity Model of Care and how the Government intends to support the LGBTIQA+ community. The Minister and the Council also briefly discussed the progression of the Conversion Practice Ban.
The Council was informed by the Assistant Minister of the establishment and functions of her role and the Office for Autism. The Council highlighted to the Assistant Minister that Autism is highly over-represented in the LGBTIQA+ community, so it is important the LGBTIQA+ people are part of discussions impacting the autism community.
The Council was joined virtually by Kenton Miller from VEOHRC who provided information on the legislative process and implementation of Victoria’s Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021.
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council meets next in November.
Update as at 6 June 2023
The LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council met for their second quarterly meeting on Tuesday 6 June 2023. During the meeting, the Council was provided with an update from the Department of Health and Wellbeing on the progress of the Model of Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse people, currently in development, and discussed progress in relation to the State Government’s commitment to ensure that conversion practices do not occur in South Australia.
The Council strongly supports timely and comprehensive implementation of the Model of Care. The Council acknowledged that while progress now is important, it does not compensate for the lives lost in the past due to the inadequate care, prejudice and mistreatment that LGBTIQA+ people have experienced.
The Council also expressed to the Minister the importance of legislative reform to ban conversion practices. They expressed concern that the reform has yet to progress and have requested an update on timing. Council members indicated their interest in learning from the Victorian experience in enacting legislative reform in this area and noted the critical importance of support to people who have been subjected to or are at risk of these practices.
The Council is looking forward to working with the Minister and the Government on these important reforms for LGBTIQA+ South Australians.
Council members also provided their insights to inform the State’s next Youth Action Plan 2023-26 and highlighted the importance of an intersectional focus in meeting the needs of South Australia’s young people. Anyone is welcome to have their say on the Youth Action Plan until 6 August. South Australia’s Youth Action Plan 2023-2026 | YourSAy
The Council meets next in September 2023.