LGBTIQ+ Rights
It's a great privilege to represent such a diverse and vibrant electorate, which has at its heart the remarkable Victorian Pride Centre. I am proud to be an ally and advocate for the LGBTIQ+ community. I believe everyone deserves to celebrate who they are, without fear of discrimination. I will continue to work with the community to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are upheld and strengthened.
Better Healthcare
In 2024, we removed discriminatory restrictions which had excluded LGBTQIA+ families from receiving Medicare-funded IVF - helping thousands more Australians access affordable fertility treatment.
In 2025, we launched a new National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people focused on ensuring access to safe, respectful, high-quality and inclusive health and well-being services.
And late last year, we also invested $42 million towards our goal of eliminating HIV transmission in Australia by 2030 by increasing HIV awareness, prevention, testing and treatment.
Victorian Pride Centre
When I first ran for Parliament in 2019, I was proud to stand with Tanya Plibersek to announce that a Federal Labor Government would invest $10 million towards the construction of the Victorian Pride Centre. Now celebrating its 5th birthday, the VPC is a powerful symbol of equality and belonging right here in St Kilda.
From specialist health services to fabulous community organisations and queer media, the VPC is so much more than an iconic building - it's a place for the LGBTQIA+ community to grow, care for one another, and celebrate together.
Recently, I joined Julian Hill to announce that we are investing $1 million to improve the security of the VPC to ensure it remains a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community to come together.
Joy Media
In 2025, I was proud to announce that an Albanese Labor Government would deliver $250,000 to support JOY Radio - the nation’s first and only LGBTIQA+ community radio station.
I have seen firsthand how important JOY is to our local community, and this funding will mean LGBTIQA+ Australians, and their allies can continue to engage and connect with JOY’s content.
JOY Media is celebration of diversity, inclusion and connection, and I am proud to support the hardworking staff and volunteers who are dedicated to uplifting their community.
Hate Crime Laws
in 2025, we passed the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Act 2025 which extended protections to people who are targeted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.
I will continue to advocate for stronger hate crime laws that make it a criminal offence to vilify somebody for who they are.
National Census
For the first time, the 2026 Census will include a new topic of sexual orientation and gender for people aged 16 years and over.
Census data is critical to informing the policy decisions that affect the lives of millions of Australians. Counting LGBTQIA+ Australians in our national census is the best way we ensure that they are represented and heard in Government decision-making.