The ACT Government has launched the Second Action Plan (2026-28) of the Capital Equality Strategy (2024-29), progressing a significant step for LGBTIQA+ Canberrans.
In 2024, the ACT Government released the five-year Capital of Equality Strategy and its First Action Plan (2024-26) with a clear way forward towards achieving equality and wellbeing for LGBTIQA+ communities in Canberra.
Minister for Equality Suzanne Orr said that release of the Second Action Plan under the Strategy reaffirms the ACT’s strong commitments and belief that every person has the right to be free from discrimination, to be safe, and to belong.
“We’ve achieved some amazing work so far to create a safer Canberra for LGBTIQA+ people, and for it to be one of the most welcoming and inclusive places where people can live authentically as themselves,” Minister Orr said.
“While I’m extremely proud of the significant progress we’ve achieved so far, we acknowledge that there is always more to be done to improve the lives of all Canberrans.
“The First Action Plan included 37 actions to build a strong foundation. The Second Action Plan will deliver on a further 36 actions that build on the success of key initiatives established in the first. It reflects learnings from the 2025 LGBTIQA+ Communities Survey on community needs and where government can focus our efforts.
“One of the actions we’ll progress under this plan is improving how we collect and use data, increasing the range of representation to ensure LGBTIQA+ voices and experiences are meaningfully reflected in policy and services.
“We’re also specifically including an action under this plan to improve the capacity of the domestic, family and sexual violence sectors to provide better, tailored support for the LGBTIQA+ community.
“It’s an awful and tragic reality that LGBTIQA+ people experience violence at higher rates than the general population, and existing services don’t always meet the specific needs of community.
“The 2026-27 ACT Budget invested over $1 million over the next 4 years to establish a specific LGBTIQA+ program within the domestic, family and sexual violence sector.
“We also continue strengthening the LGBTIQA+ community-controlled sector. The 2026-27 ACT Budget invested $688,000 to provide peer-led services for trans and gender diverse people over the next 4 years, and $118,000 for dedicated services for LGBTIQA+ parents and their children over the next 2 years.
“These and other actions in the Plan progress the government’s ongoing commitments to advancing progressive, meaningful reforms so that every Canberran has equal rights and opportunities,” said Minister Orr.
The newly appointed LGBTIQA+ Ministerial Advisory Council will continue advising the government on emerging issues and supporting the Plan’s implementation.
