LGBTIQ Taskforce Justice Working Group: meeting 1 (17 February 2020)

On 17 February 2020, the new LGBTIQ Justice Working Group (Working Group) held its first meeting.

The Working Group is co-chaired by Janet Jukes and Harriet Shing MP. The remaining members are:

Aimee Cooper
Anna Brown
Christine Haag
Dale Park
Felicity Marlowe
James Roffee
Maree Foelz
Paul Kidd
Sam Elkin
Steven Michelson
Wendy Brokenshire
Wil Stracke.

Members of the LGBTIQ Taskforce are ex-officio members of the Working Group. Also in attendance was Victoria’s Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, Ro Allen. The Working Group is supported by staff of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

The list of members, terms of reference and communiques are available. Members are appointed for two years.

The role of the Working Group is to:

provide subject matter advice to the LGBTIQ Taskforce and relevant government departments on matters of government policy, programs and services
provide subject matter advice to the LGBTIQ Taskforce on current and emerging LGBTIQ issues
provide advice on other matters referred to the Taskforce, or where agreed by the chairperson, or the relevant government department.

The Working Group advises on issues relating to civil law, criminal law, youth justice, safer communities, policing, corrections and related matters.

Specific matters considered

Achievements of the previous Working Group

The Working Group reflected on the achievements of the previous Justice Working Group, including amendments to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 which removed barriers for people who wish to change the sex on their birth registration, advocacy and advice regarding the prohibition of conversion practices and scoping service models to provide tailored and specialist legal assistance to LGBTIQ people.

Areas of focus

Working Group members discussed possible areas of focus for this term of the Working Group. Members agreed that the Working Group has an opportunity to build on past success and develop a strategic approach to reform across the justice system. This includes preventing and responding to discrimination experienced by LGBTIQ people and providing advice to key agencies and service delivery arms across the justice system.