Letters and submissions
November 2024.
Parliamentary response to Response to Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024
[Provisions]
Bloom-ED strongly opposes the Online Safety Amendment minimum age social media ban. If a ban is to proceed, movements and policy changes will need to be made to support the inclusion of further sexual information that social media currently offers. Additional support for educators, curriculum changes and support for outside agencies is needed.
August 2024.
A submission was made to the Department of Social Services public consultation regarding NDIS services. Bloom-ED also co-signed a petition jointly supported by 38 organisations across Australia.
Outcome: A revised support list has now been announced. A negotiation team has been been established to seek specific clarification on services related to the sexual wellbeing of people with disability. This process is still ongoing.
January 2024.
A submission was made as part of the Consultation on the Draft Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education.
Outcome: A National Student Ombudsman has been announced and further reforms are anticipated. More information can be found here.
August 2024.
A letter was sent to the Council of Albany (WA) regarding their upcoming Special Elector's meeting and the banning of sex education books in the local library.
Outcome: Bloom-ED had a follow-up telephone conversation with the Deputy Mayor about this issue. The council meeting resolved not to ban the books. Bloom-ED also contacted various publishers who will be providing free books to the library (as some library members were borrowing the books indefinitely and making them inaccessible).
July 2024.
Bloom-ED submitted an online response to the UK's consultation regarding school-based provision of relationships and sexuality education within UK schools.
Outcome: This review process is still underway.
December 2022.
Submission to the Federal Senate Standing Committee on Standing Affairs in relation to Universal Access to Reproductive Healthcare.
Outcome: Bloom-ED was invited to speak at a Public Hearing. All information related to this senate inquiry can be found here.