The Victorian Government values and celebrates diversity. It affirms the right to equality, fairness and decency for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians, and is committed to removing discrimination from Victorian laws, services and society.

The LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group has been established to support the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce.

About the LGBTIQ+ Taskforce

The LGBTIQ+ Taskforce provides high level, strategic advice to the Minister for Equality and government departments on current and emerging LGBTIQ+ issues and on government policy, programs and services to address those issues. The Taskforce will also work closely with Victoria's Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality and Victoria’s Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities to ensure that the government’s equality initiatives are underpinned by genuine community consultation.

Read more about the LGBTIQ+ taskforce on vic.gov.au (External link)

About the LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group

The role of the LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group is to:

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

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

Issues relating to the health and human services and education portfolios will be addressed by other working groups of the taskforce. The LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group may be required to liaise with these groups on matters involving common or overlapping concerns. 

Membership

The LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group is co-chaired by Janet Jukes and Minister Harriet Shing. Members of the LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group are: Aimee Cooper, Dale Park, Ghassan Kassisieh, Hilary Knack, Jamie Gardiner, Liam Elphick, Sean Mulcahy.

Members are appointed for their individual skills and experience, and they bring a wide range of organisational and community connections to the table.

LGBTIQ+ Taskforce members are ex-officio members of the LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group. Victoria’s Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities, Todd Fernando, also attends LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group meetings.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety provides secretariat support to the LGBTIQ+ Justice Working Group.

For information about previous working groups, you can see:

Meeting Communiques – 2023

Meeting Communiques – 2022