LHA has made a submission to the Department of Social Services’ consultation on a new approach to programs for families and children, welcoming the opportunity to create a more flexible, coherent and equitable national system. The submission emphasised that families in Australia are diverse, including LGBTIQ+ parents and caregivers, families raising LGBTIQ+ children and young people, and families with children who have innate variations of sex characteristics. LHA argued that explicit commitments to inclusion, equity and the removal of structural barriers are essential if the reforms are to achieve their stated vision.

The submission called for the reforms to align with the National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People 2025–2035 and to include the implementation of the ABS 2020 Standard, to ensure inclusive program design, data collection and evaluation. LHA recommended embedding inclusive practice across all program streams, investing in LGBTIQ+ community-controlled organisations, supporting peer-led and family acceptance programs, and strengthening partnerships between mainstream services and community organisations so that all children, young people, parents and caregivers can access safe, affirming support.

You can read the full submission here.