GLBTI cash pot

The Brumby Government has received an overwhelmingly positive response to its  proposed $2.5 million GLBTI funding package.

It’s thought to be the first time an Australian state government has announced such a comprehensive GLBTI package ahead of an election.

ALSO Foundation CEO Crusader Hillis applauded the announcement and said support for the community was well needed, particularly in the areas of youth and GLBTI seniors.

“I think it’s momentous in so many ways,” Hillis said. “These measures will assist our community to better support some of its most vulnerable members and sends a clear message that the state government abhors violence and harassment.”

If re-elected, the Brumby Government has pledged $2.5 million over four years in a variety of areas, including $400,000 for a GLBTI peak body to represent community; the establishment a whole-of-government advisory committee on GLBTI issues; $50,000 annual on-going funding for the Midsumma Festival; $100,000 over two years for a Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria-led summit to address GLBTI aging issues; $200,000 over four years to support the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard; $200,000 for the Anti-Violence Project to support victims of homophobic crime; a $320,000 pilot program to combat homophobia in schools; and a further $100,000 for same-sex-attracted youth initiatives.

The Brumby Government has also promised law reforms including amending the Relationships Register so only one person needs to reside in Victoria; reviewing the Adoption Act; plus inserting a clause into government funding and service agreements to comply with Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

Although a peak representative body for the GLBTI community has not yet been named, it’s thought the ALSO Foundation is in the front-running position to reap the $400,000 funding.

There has, however, been backlash from Victoria’s trans community who say they’ve been left out of the booty.

Hillis said it was with “enormous sadness” the trans and intersex community had been overlooked in the announcement.

“No specific funding for transgender initiatives is very sad,” he said.

TransGender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner said the Government’s announcement was disappointing for Victoria’s trans and intersex community, pushing for much-needed funding to establish the Zoe Belle Gender Centre.

“Not one measure specific to the gender diverse community is included in the Premier’s announcement,” Goldner said.

“We are very disappointed that the Premier has not shown any willingness to specifically address the needs of some of the most disadvantaged members of the Victorian community.”

Greens MLC and GLBTI spokeswoman Sue Pennicuik told SSO she welcomed the announcments broadly, however said the Brumby Government has had plenty of time to make the changes while in government.

Pennicuik said there was still no committment to change exemption provisions in the state’s Equal Opportunity Act which allow some groups to discriminate on the basis of sexuality and gender identity.

“These will be good things if they do them, but if they don’t take the discriminations out of the Equal Opportunity Act … then the message is that it’s okay to discriminate against people based on their sexuality or gender identity.”

“The single biggest thing you can do to stop people being homophobic is to treat people equally under the law, that’s the strongest message you can send.”

An Opposition spokesman told Southern Star Observer the Liberal Party would announce any policy direction in the area closer to the November 27 election.