Page 3969 - Week 11 - Thursday, 26 September 2019
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MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, will there be any requirement that the purchasers of this land actually build affordable houses and then, if they do, any obligations around resale to eligible people?
MS BERRY: Yes, there are a number of requirements on builders regarding the sale of these dwellings, once they have been completed, to ensure that they meet the affordable housing policy of the ACT government. I would like to make sure that I get the right information to the Assembly. I will check the detail on the actual requirements that are in place for those builders and developers who build these homes for sale to make sure that they are going to families who need them.
Government—LGBTIQ+ inclusion strategy
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, as the Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, can you tell us what is the ACT government’s strategy for promoting the inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ community in Canberra?
MR BARR: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. We have launched the capital of equality strategy, which is the territory government’s first all-encompassing LGBTIQ+ strategy and, I believe, now the most all-encompassing of any state or territory in the nation. The strategy outlines how we are stepping up support for the community, and sets out the principles to ensure that LGBTIQ+ people, their families and communities are visible, valued and respected and that they have access to inclusive and supportive services.
The four-year strategy was developed in close collaboration with the ministerial advisory council and the broader community. It provides a road map to increasing wellbeing and acceptance by reforming laws, enhancing services, supporting peer-led organisations and, importantly, opening doors for participation in all areas of life for this marginalised section of our community. The strategy forms part of the government’s broader vision for a more inclusive Canberra.
MR PETTERSSON: Chief Minister, how is the strategy going to be implemented?
MR BARR: It will be through targeted, measurable and specific actions. Most importantly, getting it right is vital to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ community members in the territory. The office of LGBTIQ affairs is engaging closely with the ministerial advisory council and right across all ACT government directorates to develop the first action plan for implementation over the coming 12 months.
This plan will be released in coming weeks and will include specific reforms and practical improvements to assist some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community, such as those undergoing gender transition and those born with variations in sex characteristics.
We will work closely with the private sector and with peer-led community organisations on implementing the actions, and ACT government directorates will be responsible for implementing initiatives as part of their core business.
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