Doug PollardRainbow Report on Government Gay Stimulus Package
May 7th 2009 00:57
The government has responded to criticism for the way it’s managed the introduction of same-sex couple equality by handing out $450k of taxpayers money.
The money is for ‘a national education campaign’ about the impacts of the 85 changes the government has brought in. We’ll be asking, is this worthwhile endeavour, or could the money be better spent?
They’re channelling $350k of it via the National LGBTI Health Alliance, a very new national body – basically a coalition of Aids Councils – which currently has only one staff member and isn’t even properly set up yet.
So they are outsourcing the job to ACON, the Aids Council of New South Wales.
But this isn’t a health issue. Is this the right channel for the money? Why is the government going this route?
We’ll be talking to Corey Irlam of the Australian Coalition for Equality, who has been heavily involved in lobbying the government, and ACON CEO Stevie Clayton.
The other $100k is going to the Welfare Right Centre to help them in their work supporting GLBTI claimants who feel they need someone the stand with them as they deal with Centrelink.
Director Maree O’Halloran joins us to explain what they’ll use the money for.
And in our regular reports from the other states – yes, there is gay life outside Melbourne – we’ll catch up with Amy Henderson from community paper Out in Perth.
Joining me in the studio tonight, the man of a thousand hats – journalist, reviewer, Fringe Festival guru, and Melbourne’s leading zombie, Richard Watts.
And the cherry on the cake – bet that’s the first time she’s been called that in a while – the first lady of lycra, Kaye Sera, who’s been sniffing around our Prime Ministers emissions.
Feel free to join in, agree, disagree, argue, praise, whatever, email onair@joy.org.au - text 0427 JOY 949, or leave a message on 9699 2949.
The Rainbow Report, Joy 94.9FM, Melbourne Australia, Thursdays, 7-8pm Australian Eastern Time, streaming live at www.joy.org.au .
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