LGBTIQA+ committee turned down

A REQUEST to have a special LGBTIQA+ committee set up to advise the City of Greater Bendigo has been turned down.

A petition from Rainbow Local Government and signed by 18 people was received in April calling for an advisory committee, with councillors voting on the request at their recent meeting.

Two councillors, Jennifer Alden and Julie Sloan, voted against a recommendation to stick with sections of the council’s LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Action Plan which outline its commitment to “incorporating the voice of LGBTIQA+ community members in council planning processes.”

Other councillors present at the meeting voted in favour.

Cr Alden told the meeting there had been a lot of work done on preparing the inclusion action plan, a process that attracted 127 feedback responses and the call for an advisory committee.

The plan’s ommission of an advisory committee was “deeply concerning” to the Rainbow Local Government group, Cr Alden said.

“Certainly they’re looking for stronger action on the LGBTIQA+ community’s involvement, and the advisory committee would fulfil that.”

Cr Sloan said the State Government’s official LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-2032 had found that members of that group living in regional and rural areas faced higher levels of discrimination, social exclusion, abuse and harassment.

She said the city had taken proactive steps towards making the area safe, inclusive and welcoming.

“The LGBTIQA+ inclusion journey thus far has been positive and meaningful, however the journey does not end here,” Cr Sloan said.

“There is still much to do.”

Cr Sloan said she supported the petitioners’ request and described an advisory committee as a “vital next step” in making continued progress.

Cr Margaret O’Rourke, who moved the officer’s recommendation, said she felt it was important for the LGBTIQA+ community to be represented on committees.

“I think the inclusion plan… is the best way to get outcomes for the community,” she said.

Cr O’Rourke said she was confident there would be opportunities for future discussions about setting up a special advisory committee.