Action plan to address the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people
Posted 17th March 2023 in Sector news
On 1 March 2023, the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, announced a 10-year national action plan for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing at the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference.
Kearney emphasised how important it is to fully understand the needs of LGBTIQA+ communities and individuals, stating that the consultation began in earnest during a roundtable discussion on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing a day prior.
“We heard first-hand the experiences and challenges faced by the community in getting the health care and support they need and deserve…it highlighted that we must commit to action,” says Ged Kearney.
The plan will be informed by national consultation, lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ people and the organisations that serve them.
Kearney also announced a $26 million investment in research grants to discover new and improved ways to provide health care to LGBTIQA+ people, representing the largest investment into LGBTIQA+ research by an Australian Government.
The announcement has been welcomed by many LGBTIQ+ focused organisations, with representatives speaking to the announcement during a press conference:
“Quite simply, this plan, and this funding will save lives.”
“This is, this moment is both a healing moment for our communities and a turning point in Australia.”
“We have an incredible heritage to build upon… It's a journey we've been on now for 40, nearly 50 years in our response to HIV… The community working together with government, researchers and clinicians is the formula by which we get outcomes.”
The transcript for the press conference including the perspectives of other LGBTIQ+ sector leaders is available below.
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