Tas Gov LGBTIQA+ budget allocations welcomed
Response to Magda’s Szubanki’s cancer announcement below
Tasmania’s peak LGBTIQA+ organisations have welcomed allocations in this year’s Tasmanian State Budget to tackle LGBTIQA+ discrimination and mental health risk, but say more is needed.
In yesterday’s Budget, the State Government announced $202,000 for the state’s soon-to-be-released LGBTIQA+ Strategy, and confirmed $150,000 to support LGBTIQA+ people navigating the mental health system.
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“We welcome the Government allocating funding to ensure its upcoming LGBTIQA+ strategy has real impact.”
“More will be required to tackle anti-LGBTIQ discrimination, stigma and the socio-economic disadvantages they cause, but this is a good start.”
Working It Out CEO, Olivia Hogarth said,
“National research shows young LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians have worse mental health due to prejudice and stigma than their counterparts interstate.”
“We welcome confirmation the Government will continue to fund support for LGBTIQA+ people navigating the mental health system, but we will continue to push for what is needed most, a dedicated mental health service for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians.”
Response to Magda’s Szubanki’s cancer announcement
Meanwhile, Mr Croome said LGBTIQA+ people across the nation will be hoping for a full recovery for TV and film star, comedian and LGBTIQA+ rights champion, Magda Szubanski.
“Magda has a place in the heart of every Australian, not least LGBTIQA+ Australians for whom she has been a hero, a role model, a defender and someone we can always rely on to cheer us up.”
“It’s now our turn as a community and a nation to inspire in Magda the cheer, good humour and optimism she has inspired in us for over forty years.”
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Olivia Hogarth on 0415 372 193.
