Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex health & wellbeing

Page content: Background | Terms of reference | Key tasks

Background

The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex health and wellbeing (the GLBTI MAC) builds on two successful terms of the previous Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay and Lesbian Health (2000-2006). The GLBTI MAC membership includes senior departmental representatives in order to focus effort on the work of the department. It also has a broader focus, including bisexual, transgender and intersex health and wellbeing.

The MAC provides advice to the three Human Services Ministers (covering the portfolios of Health, Mental Health, Community Services, Senior Victorians and Housing) and the Department of Human Services on action required to promote and support the health and wellbeing of GLBTI Victorians. The GLBTI MAC is one of a number of expert bodies that provide advice to Government on the health and well being of socially marginalised and disadvantaged groups. The GLBTI MAC is representative of the Government's commitment to valuing and encouraging diversity and to promote the rights of all Victorians to participate fully in the social and political life of the State.

Terms of reference

The GLBTI MAC's terms of reference until June 2010 are to provide advice on:

1. The ongoing development of DHS’s GLBTI health and wellbeing agenda, profiling and building on existing DHS GLBTI initiatives

2. The inclusion of GLBTI cultural competencies in mainstream service provision, with an emphasis on those areas where either GLBTI people are over-represented or where they under-utilise services for fear of discriminatory treatment

3. The need for GLBTI specialist services where appropriate

4. New and emerging GLBTI health and wellbeing issues.

The GLBTI MAC will also:

5. Advise Human Services Ministers on the development and delivery of its work program

6. Support Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria in providing GLBTI health and wellbeing information and resources to DHS program areas and regions.

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The GLBTI MAC's key tasks

1. Develop and deliver a work program to June 2010 to promote the inclusion of GLBTI health and wellbeing considerations through:
   • Departmental and Divisional policy;
   • DHS programs;
   • Workforce training and resources,
2. Undertake consultations with key stakeholders, including representatives of Victoria’s GLBTI communities on their priority health and wellbeing concerns and use of human services.
3. Improve the evidence base for DHS GLBTI policy and program development by advising on the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in population and client data where appropriate.
4. Advise on the development of resources that target GLBTI communities.
5. Convene working groups and steering committees as required.

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