GLBTI MAC is a wonderful opportunity for the Burnet Institute to strengthen its relationship with government and the community sector.

Head of HIV Research at the Burnet Institute, Dr Mark Stoové has been selected to join the Victorian Government’s newly created, gay and lesbian advisory group.

The committee will play a central role in advising government policy on health (including rapid-HIV testing), ageing, mental health and drug services issues affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community in Victoria.

Advice from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Ministerial Advisory Committee (GLBTI MAC), will feed directly to the Minister for Health and Ageing, David Davis and the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge.

Dr Stoové said his appointment to GLBTI MAC is a wonderful opportunity for the Burnet Institute to strengthen its relationship with government and the community sector.

“It’s also a chance to help translate the work of our HIV research programs into policy and practice,” Dr Stoové said.

“HIV prevention is going through significant changes internationally and locally and the innovative work of the Burnet in this area will feed into new local interventions to prevent HIV transmissions and improve the health of those affected.”

Former Executive Director of the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC), Mike Kennedy will chair the committee, made up of 23 others, including mental health activist Rob Mitchell, JOY FM journalist Doug Pollard and Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria director Liam Leonard and current VAC Executive Director Matt Dixon.