The next National Plan provides an historic opportunity for LGBTIQ people to be meaningfully included in the shared effort to end family, domestic and sexual violence. We are pleased that the Draft National Plan commits to ending all forms of genderbased violence, including ensuring that LGBTIQ people of all genders are safe at home, work, school, in the community and online. However, we are concerned that recent leadership and action in this space has not been adequately reflected and included in the Draft National Plan

We are proud to be working alongside the ACT Government in creating a safe and inclusive city for all Canberrans. Meridian welcomes the commitments of the ACT Labor and ACT Greens policy platforms for the 10th Legislative Assembly that aim to improve the lives of LGBTIQA+ Canberrans, as outlined in the Parliamentary & Governing Agreement: 10th Legislative Assembly.

Meridian is calling on the ACT Government to allocate adequate funding in the 2021/22 budget to implement these commitments.

Meridian welcomes the opportunity to contribute this submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Meridian offers this independent submission to the Royal Commission, in addition to being a signatory to LGBTIQ+ Health Australia’s submission, to strengthen the points made in their submission, and to represent our Canberra-based organisation’s position and experiences, more specifically. 

Meridian’s Written Submission for the Capital of Equality Second Action Plan Consultation

Meridian is Canberra’s leading community-based, peer-led organisation for people living with HIV/AIDS, and sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities. Meridian was pleased to be one of the organisations chosen to process Grant applications for the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy Respite Effect and Recovery Grants.

We are writing to sincerely thank you for implementing the Respite Effect and Recovery Grants program and its associated process.

Meridian welcomes the opportunity to provide our support for, and comments regarding, Dr Paterson’s proposed Sexual Consent Law Reform. We also acknowledge and thank Deputy Chief Minister Berry’s work in establishing the tri partisan Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. Meridian welcomes the recent appointment of Renée Leon as Chair of the overarching Steering Committee and the establishment of inclusive and intersectional Groups to drive reform in this important area.

Feedback on vital legislative change to be part of bringing forth much-needed positive consent laws in the ACT.

Call for submissions to Inquiry into the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021

Meridian welcomes the opportunity to provide our support for, and comments regarding, Dr Paterson’s proposed Sexual Consent Law Reform. We also acknowledge and thank you for establishing the tri-partisan Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. Meridian welcomes the recent appointment of Renée Leon as Chair of the overarching Steering Committee and the establishment of inclusive and intersectional Groups to drive reform in this important area.

Meridian provides current information to the ACT Government on the needs, rights and discrimination that our communities in the ACT continue to face