Josh Burns (Macnamara, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge became a sea of vibrant colour as 50,000 people walked together, marking the final day of WorldPride. From mid-summer to Mardi Gras, the last few weeks have been a celebration of equality and love. But we must never forget that these celebrations have a dark past—one of protest and brutality. Despite significant achievements like decriminalisation, antidiscrimination protections and marriage equality, there is still more work to do.

LGBTQI+ people have had the poorest mental health outcomes of any single cohort in Australia. Sadly, nearly half of all transgender people have attempted suicide in their lifetimes. LGBTQI+ people are also less likely to access healthcare services, due to barriers such as discrimination. This is why I'm proud that our government, under the leadership of my friend and colleague Ged Kearney, will deliver a 10-year national action plan for the health and wellbeing of the LGBTIQ community. This plan will be developed in consultation with the community because this is a government committed to listening to people and centring their lived experience and expertise.

Celebrating diversity and striving for equality is not something reserved for Mardi Gras; it is something that must be at the heart of what we do all year round.

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