Wednesday, 1 May 2024

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:33): I rise today in my capacity as Minister for Equality. Pride is such an important part of making sure that in delivering on our equality commitments we are providing access to programs, services, support, recognition, dignity, safety and visibility for LGBTIQA+ people across the state.

Last Friday there was a really significant opportunity to talk about the importance of Pride and of safety and of dignity in announcing the work on Pride in ageing to be delivered in partnership with Switchboard as part of a $4.5 million delivery of a suite of policy and program supports to make sure that LGBTIQA+ people are supported, are seen, are given gender-affirming care, are able to make sure that their partners are with them in aged care and are able to make sure that they do not suffer indignity after often a lifetime of isolation, humiliation, vilification, violence, advocacy and activism to bring us to the point that we are at today, where equality, here in Victoria at least, is not negotiable.

In the 2023–24 state budget we did commit $4.5 million to establishing that pilot program addressing the needs of our older LGBTIQA+ Victorians with a peer-led, tailored approach for dignity, connection and the ability to live authentically. Whether that is with in-home care, aged care residential services or general, medical or community connection programs, this is what will make a tangible difference to recognise and support those who have done so much to support LGBTIQA+ people across the board. Thank you also to the Minister for Ageing, Minister Stitt, for making sure that this is a program that can continue to deliver benefit across the board.