Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Wendouree electorate LGBTIQA+ community

Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:12): (1076) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Equality, and I am delighted that she is in the chamber today for me to raise this adjournment matter. The action that I seek is for her to visit my electorate of Wendouree to meet with representatives of our vibrant LGBTIQA+ community at a stakeholder round table. I am a proud ally of the Ballarat rainbow community, and I support trans and gender-diverse people in my electorate and across Ballarat and our state. I was delighted to join with the minister in Daylesford last weekend for the ChillOut parade, marching with a local contingent including members of Rainbow Labor and alongside the federal member for Ballarat the Honourable Catherine King as well as the Minister for Health, who is also the local member. It was a wonderful celebration for our thriving regional LGBTQIA Victorians.

I also wish to take this time to acknowledge the work of QHub in my electorate, which is a safe, affirming and inclusive space for young members of the Ballarat rainbow community and their families. QHub is funded by our Labor government and is an LGBTIQA+ youth mental and social connection program delivered in partnership with Drummond Street Services, Queerspace, Wellways and CAFS in central Ballarat. I visited Ballarat QHub last week and met with the team, including Jack, Asha, Alex and AJ, as well as Emily and Wendy from CAFS to learn more about the work they are doing to boost inclusion for our LGBTIQA+ youth across western Victoria. I would welcome the opportunity to host the minister in Ballarat to hear directly from a range of voices and perspectives about local priorities and the government’s equality strategy. I look forward to the minister’s response and to welcoming her to Ballarat.