News

Input to the Office of the Inspector General on Aged Care’s 2025 Progress Report on Implementation of Aged Care Royal Commission Recommendations is an important opportunity to examine how well LGBTI older people have been served by the reforms following the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

The National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People provides an important opportunity to comprehensively address the abuse and mistreatment of older people, with the ultimate aim of its elimination.

The consultation by the Senate Select Committee on Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities aims to address gaps in the Closing the Gap framework and ensure more accurate, inclusive, and culturally appropriate data collection and policy development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It seeks input on how national measurement frameworks can better reflect the lived experiences, challenges, and strengths of First Nations communities, including LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy (LGBTIQ+SB) people.

The consultation on MSAC Application 1754 considers the inclusion of gender-affirming surgeries for adults with gender incongruence in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). It seeks input on the clinical necessity, accessibility, and financial impact of publicly funding these procedures to improve health equity for trans and gender-diverse people.

The consultation on the Families and Children Activity review examines how children, youth, and parenting programs can be more inclusive and responsive to diverse family structures, particularly for LGBTIQ+ parents and carers. It seeks input on barriers to accessing support services and potential policy and funding changes to ensure equitable, culturally safe, and effective programs.

The Department of Health and Aged Care recently held a consultation as part of its review of the Primary Health Network (PHN) Business Model and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream. The consultation aimed to explore opportunities, in collaboration with stakeholders, to improve equity, access, and outcomes in primary healthcare across Australia.

The Australian Government is exploring legislative reform to establish a consistent framework for the use of automated decision-making (ADM) across government services. This consultation aims to ensure ADM systems are transparent, fair, and adhere to principles of administrative law. It also seeks to address recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, including safeguards for ADM implementation and accountability mechanisms.

Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default) Bill 2024 [Provisions]

The Australian Government is proposing legislative changes through the Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record – Sharing by Default) Bill 2024.

The Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport recently held an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia. The consultation aimed to assess the effectiveness of policies, treatment services, and prevention strategies in reducing alcohol and other drug-related health harms.

LHA has provided a submission to the Department of Health’s consultation on The Residential Care Service List. This list is an important framework for service providers and potential residents to understand what services residents may be able to receive at no extra charge when in a residential aged care service.

The Department of Health and Aged Care invited feedback on draft guidelines for a National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which aims to improve early detection and health outcomes for populations disproportionately impacted by lung cancer. The guidelines include a focus on priority populations, including LGBTIQA+ people, to ensure equitable access and culturally safe care.

Star Ratings help enable older people and their supporters make more informed choices about the quality of available care options. However, LHA’s submission highlights that LGBTI older people may not see specific benefits from this system. It does not provide information on how their distinctive concerns may be addressed, such as being fully accepted and not facing discrimination.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has responded to the proposed ban on social media use for people under 16, highlighting the significant impact this could have on young LGBTIQ+ people. 

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has provided a detailed submission in response to the draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.