Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own laws and customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, from the Creation, according to the common law from ‘time immemorial’, and according to science more than 60,000 years ago.

This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or ‘mother nature’, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united with our ancestors. This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, of sovereignty. It has never been ceded or extinguished, and co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown.

How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and this sacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years?

With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood.

Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future.

These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. This is the torment of our powerlessness.

We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.

We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.

We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.

In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.

One in three Australians have been sexually harassed at work within the past five years. It is prevalent and pervasive. But it is also preventable. We’re calling on the Australian Government to act now to implement the remaining recommendations of the Respect@Work report, which sets out clear and sensible legal reforms to make workplaces safe for everyone. Drummond Street Services are proud to be among more than 60 diverse community organisations who want actions, not words.

Joint statement

Everyone deserves to be safe at work and free from sexual harassment, but our current system is failing us. While sexual harassment is pervasive across all industries and all employment levels in Australia, it is not inevitable. We have the power to prevent it.

We call on the Australian Government to implement all remaining recommendations of the Respect@Work report in full and without further delay. This includes urgently amending our laws to create the following eight changes:

1. Confirmation that one of the objects of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) is substantive equality – Recommendation 16(a)
2. Amending the Sex Discrimination Act to prohibit the creation of a hostile, sexist working environment – Recommendation 16(c)
3. A positive duty on all employers to take reasonable and proportionate steps to stop sex discrimination and sexual harassment – Recommendation 17
4. New compliance and investigation powers for the Australian Human Rights Commission to enforce the positive duty – Recommendation 18
5. A new inquiry power for the Sex Discrimination Commissioner to investigate systemic sexual harassment – Recommendation 19
6. A new process to allow representative bodies to bring actions to court on behalf of people who have been sexually harassed – Recommendation 23
7. Creating an express prohibition on sexual harassment and an accessible new complaints process in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – Recommendation 28
8. A new Work Health and Safety Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment at Work – Recommendation 35

One of the core findings of Respect@Work was that our current laws are ‘simply no longer fit for purpose’ and should require employers to take proactive measures to prevent sexual harassment.

Respect@Work highlighted the disproportionate impacts of sexual harassment on women, in particular on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women of colour, women with disability, younger women, older women, low paid and insecurely employed women, and on LGBTIQ+ communities. It found that we must address gender inequity as the main driver of sexual harassment.

Two years on, we are deeply concerned that key recommendations from Respect@Work have still not been implemented. These sensible and practical changes to our laws must be made urgently to help create gender-equal and inclusive workplaces that are safe, respectful and equitable for everyone.

The Power2Prevent Coalition is a group of more than 60 diverse community organisations, unions, academics, peak bodies, health professionals, lawyers and victim-survivors. We see the effects of sexual harassment on people around Australia every day and how our systems are not responding to the issues.

We stand together to call for this urgent reform to prevent sexual harassment at work.

List of Signatories (as at March 2022)

1. Australian Council of Trade Unions
2. Basic Rights Queensland
3. Carol Andrades, Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne
4. Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union
5. Community and Public Sector Union
6. Domestic Violence NSW
7. Dr Alysia Blackham, Associate Professor, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
8. Dr Belinda Smith, Associate Professor, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney
9. Dr Dominique Allen, Associate Professor, Monash University
10. Drummond Street Services
11. Australian Education Union
12. Emerita Professor, Margaret Thornton, Australian National University
13. Employment Rights Legal Service
14. Equality Rights Alliance
15. Fair Agenda
16. Finance Sector Union
17. Full Stop Australia
18. GenWest
19. Grata Fund
20. Health Services Union
21. Independent Education Union of Australia
22. Job Watch
23. Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
24. Justice Connect
25. Kingsford Legal Centre
26. Australian Lawyers Alliance
27. Legal Aid Queensland
28. Maritime Union of Australia
29. Maurice Blackburn
30. National Tertiary Education Union
31. North Queensland Women’s Legal Service
32. Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission
33. Not in My Workplace
34. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation
35. Professor Beth Gaze, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
36. Professor Nareen Young, Jumbunna Institute, UTS
37. Professor Sara Charlesworth, Director of the Centre for People, Organisation & Work, RMIT
38. Public Interest Advocacy Centre
39. Queensland Council of Unions
40. Redfern Legal Centre
41. Safe Steps
42. Australian Services Union
43. Sexual Assault Services Victoria
44. Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association
45. South-East Monash Legal Service Inc.
46. United Workers Union
47. Victoria Legal Aid
48. Victoria Trades Hall Council
49. WestJustice
50. Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
51. Women with Disabilities Victoria
52. Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
53. Women’s Health in the South East
54. Women’s Health NSW
55. Women’s Health Victoria
56. Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc
57. Women’s Legal Centre ACT
58. Women’s Legal Service Australia
59. Women’s Legal Service NSW
60. Women’s Legal Service Victoria
61. Working Women’s Centre South Australia Inc
62. Young Workers Centre

Drummond Street Services and Queerspace express our extreme disappointment that the “Religious Discrimination Bill” passed the House of Representatives overnight.

We know this is upsetting for many of our staff, clients and others in the community. We encourage you to reach out to those around you if you need support or contact our counselling service on 03 9663 6733 or 1800 LGBTIQ (9am – 5pm) or for Queer Peer Support contact QLife on 1800 184 527 (3pm – 12am). If you are in danger, phone 000 or 1800 RESPECT for family violence & sexual assault support (24hrs).

Don’t lose hope as it can still be stopped in the Senate and if not, has the potential to be challenged in the High Court!

Five Liberals crossed the floor to successfully remove provisions that allowed discrimination against LGBTQ+ students, but as we know staff and other support staff can still be discriminated against.

Queerspace/Drummond Street Services stand against all of the bill and encourage all parties and individuals with a conscience to vote it down. As one of the oldest welfare organisations in Australia, we have seen and understand the real and very serious harms caused by discrimination, isolation, and bigotry.

We oppose all forms of discrimination and stand with all LGBTIQ people, women and minorities who are currently under threat of being discriminated against in the guise of religious beliefs.

It must stop here!

Drummond Street/Queerspace encourage those who can attend the next protest against the Bill and to write to relevant politicians.

From Queerspace and Drummond Street Services Executive

On Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Drummond Street Services wrote a submission regarding the second exposure drafts of a package of legislation on religious freedom released by the government for consultation on 10 December 2019:

• Religious Discrimination Bill 2019
• Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019
• Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Freedom of Religion) Bill 2019

We stated then that we were deeply concerned about these proposed reforms. In particular, we referred to the impact these reforms would have on our clients, their families, children, carers and loved ones who we provide support to every day, as well as our own workforce and the broader community.

We are now nearing the end of 2021 and the draft bill is still up for debate and is expected to be debated in the lead up to the yet to be announced Federal election.

Whilst the discourse concerning this current draft suggests it has been ‘weakened’, it continues to include measures that make it lawful to discriminate people based on religious beliefs. These statements of belief allow for individuals to make discriminatory claims that are currently exempt from anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws.

We have seen clear examples of this, such as footballer Israel Folau who publicly expressed over social media that “homosexuals, adulterers, atheists and other “sinners” would go to hell”, or where people have been sacked from the job based on nothing else, but their identity or sexuality.  Where is the ‘fair go’ or ‘fair play’ in this?

Despite the assertions that no LGBTIQ+ person will not lose their jobs, the bill does give licence to religious institutions to sack staff or refrain from hiring staff who are LGBTIQ+, or a myriad of other reasons, if it is claimed as due to religious beliefs.

We call out that this bill remains outrageously discriminatory and call on government members to oppose it outright. We know that the debate itself is damaging for many within LGBTIQA+ communities. The experiences of the shaming and divisive debates during the marriage equality postal plebiscite have not been forgotten. Revisiting this issue, particularly when some of the very same Members of Parliament express their concerns regarding community mental health rates due to the pandemic, now see nothing wrong with sanctioning discriminatory speech and behaviours.  This bill does nothing to address the shockingly high rates of depression, self-harm and suicide for many in our LGBTIQ communities, particularly our young people.

Furthermore, religious institutions advocating for their rights to be ‘shielded’ from the anti-discrimination laws, would be better placed if they spent more effort in repairing their reputations and practices from their own long histories of harm and institutional abuse, rather than continuing to exclude and judge people based on who they love.  They could also apply their advocacy and public funding to accord with their Social Justice credentials and actively call out discrimination, campaign for human rights and support those who continue to be marginalised, including from LGBTIQ+ communities.

If this bill becomes law, the outcomes will disproportionally affect those in our community.

Freedom and protection from discrimination have been hard won. This is not the time for bystanders, it is time for action.

“To make harmful, discriminatory comments under the guise of religious freedom is not only unlawful but will further harm communities that are disproportionally impacted by systemic oppression. Enabling discrimination by codifying it in law has been a long-standing form of patriarchal colonial oppression in Australia. It is time that we stand against this and ensure that our hard-won protections continue to be upheld by law and by the wider community.”

Paula Fernandez Arias, PhD

General Manager queerspace

For further information please contact Paula Fernandez Arias on 03 9663 6733.

Drummond Street Services’ Centre for Family Research and Evaluation, in partnership with RMIT University’s Centre for Innovative Justice and the Australian Institute of Family Studies, has recently commenced Future-proofing Safety, a major new research project examining how family violence in Victoria has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The research will span the breadth of Victoria’s whole community services system to understand how services have responded to family violence during COVID-19.

The project is looking at how services adapted, what gaps and weaknesses were surfaced, and how services responded to the crisis. It will also look forward by providing tangible recommendations on how to future-proof Victoria’s responses to family violence during crises like COVID-19.

You can find out more about the project at cfre.org.au/future-proofing-safety or email cfre@ds.org.au about how you can be involved as a peak, organisation or practitioner.

Future-proofing Safety began in August 2021 and is funded by Family Safety Victoria.

Vaccine Equity for Victorians – Including People Living With a Disability

Drummond Street Services wants to offer its solidarity to those who are in our communities, including those who are living with disabilities, their families and loved ones, including children and young people by providing access to the COVID-19 vaccine at a proposed pop-up clinic at some of our services sites.

Some 18 months on from the pandemic, where hopes of ‘building back better’ and ‘all in this together’, showed that the very best of these intentions, did not speak to the lived experiences of many in our communities.

Instead, it showed the many fractures in the very systems that we look to and have the responsibility to ensure all have the care and support they need, and that their health in all aspects is protected.

These times have challenged us all, with our communities and families showing us how resilient and patient they are have been – in adhering to public health orders, staying at home, enduring lock-down after lock-down whilst waiting for the opportunity for access to a vaccine.

Vaccine priority categories were established, and rightly so – in recognition that some of us or among us are made that more ‘vulnerable’ due to our health experiences, socio-economic circumstances and more so due to the social structures and systems that far too often overlook those who need the most assistance.

This was highlighted again when The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability released their draft Report of Public hearing 12: The experiences of people with disability, in the context of the Australian Government’s approach to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

We all want to resume our lives and no longer be away from those we love, however the push from some within the communities, our governments and in the media discourse, continue to forget that until those in our communities not only have access, but if needed the support to get vaccinated – they will continue to more at risk.  This is not ‘freedom’ or equity for all, but still only ‘freedom’ for some.

We have also seen first-hand how our systems, attitudes or inactions continue to discriminate, marginalise and harm in our work with survivors of institutional abuse, and People with Disabilities.

Through Drummond Street Services’  free, trauma-informed, inclusive support service, as part of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability – our ‘Your Way Through’ program, we support people with a disability, their carers and families to share their stories of abuse or neglect or focus on their recovery from complex trauma.

We have an experienced team of complex trauma practitioners and peer practitioners with lived experiences who are available to support people with a disability, their carers and their families navigate the road to trauma recovery as well as make submissions to the Disability Royal Commission.

Karen Field, Drummond Street Services CEO says,

“It is just not good enough, that too many did not – and continue to not – have access to the vaccine, and that their physical and mental health is put at such great risk.  As we always try to do, we will continue to advocate on behalf of those within our communities – whether this is our First Nations brothers and sisters, our LGBTIQ+ communities, people of colour and People with Disabilities”.

We also need and want to play our part. Therefore, I am pleased to advise that we are working with our community partners: YSAS, Odyssey House and Co-health to offer vaccine access at our DS service site in Carlton as part of our network of safe and trusted places that both our clients and those in our communities can get their protection they need”.

We also applaud the Victorian State Government’s recent announcement to provide specialist access to People with Disabilities as part of their State network of vaccination hubs, and that the Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers has made a commitment to people with a disability to ensure their health is protected before public health orders are eased”.

Drummond Street Services also wants to offer its solidarity to People with Disabilities Australia (PWDA) and their campaign – #SpeedUpVaxForPWD. 

For updates on our vaccine community clinic and information on our support services, including ‘Your Way Through’ – www.ds.org.au For media enquiries: Ali Hogg at ali.hogg@ds.org.au or Phoebe Wallish at phoebe.wallish@ds.org.au or contact us at 03 9663 6733.

Like so many community organisations, Archer Magazine faced a tough set of circumstances as Covid-19 pandemic continues deep into its second year.

Archer, an LGBTIQA+ magazine, was founded and run on a shoestring budget by queer journalist and writer Amy Middleton in 2013, along with a small team of LGBTIQA+ community volunteers.

The multi-award-winning magazine sold in 11 countries, and a stalwart in Melbourne’s queer community, is more than just a magazine. Archer has worked to mentor and nurture amateur and established editors, writers and artists from LGBTIQA+ communities, to encourage those who often go unheard, find their voice and share their experiences, and to foster connection across communities. The print and online publication platforms the writing and artwork of marginalised and intersectional LGBTIQA+ people are often left out of the media and broader society.

Archer as a name is bigger than the small machine behind it and is in much need of greater infrastructure to sustain it.  With the impacts of Covid-19, it became untenable, leading Archer to face the tough decision to close the publication due to lack of funds.

Drummond street services, a not-for-profit community service organisation, who play an important role in the lives of diverse communities across Victoria and home to Queerspace, share many aligned values with Archer magazine and have held a strong relationship over the years.

On June 22nd of this year the Drummond Street Services Board of Directors voted to save Archer Magazine with the hope to sustain the publication, expand into areas such as First Nations LGBTIQA+, youth, queers with a disability, and elder forums with additional smaller publications and outreach, as well as build on Archer’s reach, value, and audience with a viable and sustainable business model.

Both Drummond Street Services and Archer Staff are excited to join forces. Whilst retaining Archers’ independence, Drummond Street Service will provide support and assistance in a myriad of ways and will continue to shine a light on the most important voices in our community.

Amy Middleton Said

With the pending doom of closure, it made sense for us to take this step, especially to be supported by an organisation such as Drummond Street who is held in high regard and who holds such similar values to our team and the communities we work with. We see this less an acquisition, more a loving partnership. I am super excited and heartened by the partnership, and so eager to continue to steer Archer into its next chapter.

Karen Field Said

For the Drummond Steet Services Board it was a no-brainer. As the CEO of Drummond Street and Queerspace, I have seen the importance of Archer and the role in plays in LGBTIQA+ communities. Without Archer many voices wouldn’t be heard, and it would be criminal to see that end.

For Comment

email communications@ds.org.au or call 9663 6733 to speak to a representative from either Drummond Street Services or Archer Magazine.

Dear the Honorable Matthew Guy; incumbent opposition leader and leader of the Victorian Liberal party,

We call on you to stand by your commitment, pledging a focus on support for the mental health of young people.  We agree this should be a focus on state and federal governments at this time.

We support your recommendation calling on the government to employ a mental health specialist at every Victorian school, given students have lost up to 151 days of class and have suffered six interrupted terms.

We are pleased that you recognise the importance of the mental health of young Victorians, stating “The shattered mental health of young Victorians is the biggest threat facing our state today,” and “The consequences of lockdowns and social isolation on our students will last a lifetime if we don’t act now.”

We call on you to ensure that this support includes the mental health of young LGBTIQA+ people.

We call on you to repeal your previous rhetoric in regard to trans and gender diverse young people around the Safe Schools debate. We call on you to commit to school-based inclusion and antibullying initiatives such as Safe Schools and revoke previous condonation of the comments of Liberal MP Bernie Finn, describing the Safe Schools anti-bullying program as “a full-frontal assault on the innocence of children and the role of families in society”.

A recent case study by Twenty10 into the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people (16-25 years) across Australia during Covid-19 lockdowns found staggeringly high rates of mental health issues including depression. We have known for some time that due to the complexities around societal pressures, LGBTIQA+ are more at risk of suffering mental illness, and therefore must not be left behind in this commitment.

We look forward to the unveiling of your “positive agenda” in the coming weeks.

Karen Field
CEO Drummond Street Services

Drummond Street Services and its community service partners; (representing rural and regional communities) are thrilled to announce its success in receiving funds from the Victorian State Government to establish a new LGBTIQA+ Family Counselling service over the next four years.

The Qspace network includes Anglicare Victoria (Gippsland, Bendigo/Kyneton), Mallee Family Care (Mildura), Upper Murray Family Care (Wodonga) and Drummond Street Services – Queerspace (Geelong, alongside our existing Melbourne locations).  It is our combined expertise and reach that will ensure this additional counselling support connects with LGBTIQ+ adults and young people and their families within their communities.

Drummond Street Services is leading this program, has long advocated for the need for additional support for LGBTIQA+ people to feel safe, affirmed and connected by both their families and within their local communities.

Since establishing our counselling and groups for LGBTIQA+ people in the 1960’s and our many years of working with and alongside LGBTIQA+ people, we have seen the impacts that family conflict, abuse, rejection, discrimination, and lack of acceptance of people’s identities, including who they are and who they love, can have on people’s longer-term mental health, safety and wellbeing.

Therefore, we are so pleased to expand Queerspace through this Qspace network, to share our knowledge and work with local communities, as a way of offering individuals and families more choice and access to support that affirms them.

The Qspace network will provide specialist family counselling services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, and queer people of all ages, their families, and communities.

Karen Field, CEO of Drummond Street Services & queerspace said:

“It is well-known and accepted that the rates of LGBTIQA+ people with poorer mental health continues to be alarmingly high, often linked to experiences of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, with so many systems and services failing to respond quickly or recognise the unique experiences of LGBTIQA+ people.

Furthermore, emerging from Covid19’s 2020 lockdown we have also seen the mental health impacts on many LGBTIQA+ people escalate.  This is confirmed by our recent research report, ‘There’s no safe place at home: Domestic & Family Violence affecting LGBTIQA+ people (2020), which shows there must be continued investment for both specialised services who have the expertise and knowledge, as well as supporting ‘mainstream’ local services focused engagement for local LGBTIA+ people and families.

The establishment of this Qspace network means that no matter where someone is seeking support, they know it is safe and inclusive.  Demand for this type of family-focused support remains high, the Qspace network is an important contribution in providing more safe supportive spaces, sharing knowledge and local connections”.

Drummond Street Services are thrilled to be supporting the creation of a new disabled people’s organisation (DPO) for LGBTIQ+ Victorians with disabilities.

The recent investment of a LGBTIQ+ development grant from the Victorian State Government will support the establishment of Inclusive Rainbow Voices (IRV),  a democratic, member-driven, peer-led, representative voice for all LGBTIQ+ Victorians with a disability.

IRV’s fundamental aims is to meet the peer support and social needs of LGBTIQ+ Victorians with a disability, connect people through a positive peer support model, to foster self-advocacy skills, and build the capacity of individuals to speak up and for themselves.  This will allow LGBTIQ+ people with a disability  to live more independent, safer, happier lives and where they can participate and are included in LGBTIQ+ and mainstream communities.

The formation of a specialist NFP for and by LGBTIQ+ Victorians with a disability is a first for Victoria.  Our vision is to become the ‘go-to’ organisation for policy guidance, training and research that centres LGBTIQ+ people with a disability. We are immensely excited to raise the voices and profile of LGBTIQ+ people with a disability.

Margherita Coppolino, disability advocate and Drummond Street Service board member said,

“This is an exciting time!  Matthew Bowden will lead the establishment of this long-awaited project and LGBTIQ+ disability communities are lucky to have someone known and respected, with both lived experience and policy and peak body expertise on board! This opportunity creates hope for the future. There is a lot of work to be done and we are looking forward to connecting and nurturing emerging LGBTIQ+ leaders!”

Minister for Equality, Martin Foley quote

“It’s great to be supporting these LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups so they can support and strengthen Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQ+ communities.”

“Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ sector does incredible, life-saving work. By supporting diverse and intersectional groups such as these, we create a stronger LGBTIQ+ community sector.”