Queensland public sector LGBTIQ+ steering committee
The Queensland public sector LGBTIQ+ steering committee (steering committee) acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which it works and pays respect to the Elders past, present and future. The steering committee acknowledge LGBTIQ+ Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, and their contribution of lived experience to community and the steering committee.
Our vision
A workplace that reflects the diversity of the community and leads social change, where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and intersex variations feel safe, respected and included.
Our role
The role of the steering committee is to promote inclusion across the sector and support agencies to build capacity and lift inclusion across their workforce. The steering committee does this by:
- co-ordinating the sector’s network for LGBTIQ+ employees and allies
- providing LGBTIQ+ perspectives and policy advice to the Queensland Public Sector Commission (PSC) and agencies, and advocating for inclusion within agencies
- investigating options for whole-of-sector programs and initiatives focusing on LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
The steering committee partners with the PSC to engage with the Queensland Public Sector LGBTIQ+ Employee Network (the network) by:
- Communicating regularly with the network about events, resources and progress towards initiatives
- Creating opportunities for the network to connect and engage.
Our governance
Critical Friends
As an informal external network, the committee will seek advice and recommendations from critical friends who have specific expertise or a lived experience relevant to work being undertaken by the committee. In events where the committee may not hold sufficient knowledge on a topic or activity, knowledge from a critical friend or friends will be sought.
Critical friends may include but are not limited to past committee members, people from diverse sexual orientation and gender identities, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, people in rural and regional locations and young and mature people.
Read more about the Critical Friends network .
Our annual workplan and review
The committee is to provide the Public Sector Commission with a detailed work plan annually. The workplan is to outline the key priorities for the committee for the associated financial year, including any associated financial and human resource implications.
At the conclusion of each workplan, a retrospective review is to be completed. The retrospective review should detail what has been achieved by the committee during the associated financial year including any lessons learnt.
See our terms of reference .
Attendees
It is intended that committee membership reflects the diversity of the community in which it serves. Applications are strongly encouraged from Queensland public sector employees from diverse sexual orientation and gender identities, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, people in rural and regional locations and young and mature people.
Members will come from a wide range backgrounds to promote diversity of thought and experiences. They will also represent a wide range of Queensland public sector agencies.
Committee make up
The Steering Committee is comprised of between 9 (minimum) and 13 (optimal) volunteers who are Queensland public sector employees and who identify as members or allies of the LGBTIQ+ community, with consideration given to achieving a diverse membership.
Members serve for a term of two years, with the option to seek one additional term at the conclusion of their first. As such, members can serve a maximum of four years on the committee.
One or more members of the Steering Committee must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. In the event that this is not achieved, an ex-officio representative will be sought from the relevant Queensland public sector agency responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships.
A representative from the Public Sector Commission will join the committee in an ex-officio capacity without voting capability and will consult with the committee on sector-wide workforce related matters impacting on LGBTIQ+ employees.
See a list and more information about our current members .
Recruitment
Each year, an email will be sent to the network inviting Queensland public sector employees to express their interest in joining the committee.
An expression of interest form will be completed by interested applicants and submitted by a designated date.
Applicants will be shortlisted by a panel convened by the committee Chair.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a brief interview and successful applicants will be offered a position on the committee.
Casual Vacancies
Casual vacancies arise when there is a resignation of a committee member. These vacancies will be filled through extra-ordinary recruitment following the above-mentioned process and guiding principles.
Person’s appointed through a casual vacancy will serve as a member of the committee until the end of the relevant year. At the conclusion of the year, the member will be invited to re-apply for a full two-year term.
Outcomes
The Queensland Public Sector Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) Steering Committee (the committee) promotes inclusion and supports the Queensland public sector inclusion and diversity strategy 2021-2025 (the strategy).
Specifically, the committee’s areas of focus include:
- Capability and leadership – Building the capability of allies, leaders and the broader workforce
- Supportive workplace cultures – Fostering open and supportive workplaces where LGBTIQ+ employees can bring their whole selves to work every day
- Inclusive policy and practice – Ensuring our policies and practices are inclusive and support the needs of all employees and their communities, including people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and variations.
Meeting frequency
The steering committee will meet monthly to deliver on work plan commitments. It is an expectation of members to attend either in person or via video or teleconference. A member’s tenure may be at risk of continuity where there have been multiple absences without prior notice.
Meetings may be hosted in the workplace of a committee member, online, or within 1 William Street, Brisbane. Details of the next meeting are available by contacting the steering committee at lgbtiq@psc.qld.gov.au.
Contacts
Name: Brendan Carlson, Chair of the Queensland Public Sector LGBTIQ+ Steering Committee.
Email: lgbtiq@psc.qld.gov.au