The Greens welcome the Albanese Labor Government's release of the long-awaited National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People today - more than two years after announcing it.
When Labor announced this at the 2022 election, we were promised a real plan within a year. Now two years later, we get the plan on the eve of an election with no time left to implement it.
It's especially disappointing since earlier this year, the National Action Plan disappeared from the federal budget.
As stated by Stephen Bates MP, Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson
After two years of delays, it's disappointing that the final plan is so light on deliverables and so light on funding.
Guardrails and guidelines are a good starting point but making up for years of sector neglect needs more than that.
This plan just sets out to improve consultation and make sure our health system is inclusive. This has to come with broader systemic reform that delivers material help to queer people struggling with out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
If the Government wants some ideas, they could start by removing out of pocket expenses for gender affirming care, expanding eligibility for IVF and reproductive health programmes to LGBTIQA+ families, and making sure every community, from capitals to the regions, have access to comprehensive and LGBTIQA+ friendly health services.
I want to thank everyone who contributed to the important work of the expert advisory group and all the LGBTIQA+ organisations who have been calling for real action on our community's health and wellbeing for decades.
