Julian Punch
The COPP Greater Launceston/ East Coast Community Liaison Committee Chairperson Mr Roy Mc Donald welcomed the appointment of Alderman Ivan Dean and said that besides his long experience in local government Ivan as a member of the Legislative Council would be able to provide great input to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The CLC is already formed and has the additional support of a bipartisan Advisory Panel to support the development of a management plan that will reflect its objectives.
Press Release Coming Out Proud Program Endorsed Launceston City Council
The Launceston City Council at its last Council meeting endorsed the Coming Out Proud Program and appointed Alderman Ivan Dean to the COPP Greater Launceston/East Coast Community liaison Committee.
The Coming Out Proud Program has been designed to provide for representation of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Intersex people in the at regional and state level to ‘come out with pride’ and live in their community with dignity, as fully respected and participating members the establishment of Community Liaison Committees as supported in local and regional areas by local government. Representation from the Committees will be part of the establishment of the Tasmanian State GLBTI Consultative Council.
The impetus for establishing COPP is from the experience that many GLBTI people have had to leave their regions because of local prejudice and the sad incidence that some GLBTI people have even suicided because of local harassment and discrimination. Mr Punch said, “following law reform and the development of anti-discrimination and partnership legislation, there is a desire on the part of the GLBTI Community to fully participate in the broader community from a local and state perspective”. “There is also a desire on the part of the GLBTI Community to represent and conduct its own affairs at state, national and international levels from a franchised and representative local and state base upwards” he added.
The COPP Greater Launceston/ East Coast Community Liaison Committee Chairperson Mr Roy Mc Donald welcomed the appointment of Alderman Ivan Dean and said that besides his long experience in local government Ivan as a member of the Legislative Council would be able to provide great input to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The CLC is already formed and has the additional support of a bipartisan Advisory Panel to support the development of a management plan that will reflect its objectives.
Council’s decision is very positive and Community Liaison committee members are looking foreword to making a considerable contribution to the Council’s Community Plan especially in the area of ‘gay friendly’ tourism, hospitality and ‘pink immigration’ settlement opportunities. The Committee intends to make early contact with the Minister for Tourism Paula Wriedt to examine opportunities provided by her Department in the Northern region in this endeavour. The Minister previously established her ‘gay friendly’ credentials in the region by bringing British gay entertainer Elton John to Launceston for a very successful concert.
As well the COPP CLC intends to make contact with the newly established Department of Premier & Cabinet’s Office of Social Inclusion to examine the Premier’s commitment made in relation to a ‘kinder community’ for the Northern region.
Julian Punch AM
