Victorian public service servants offered counselling over same-sex marriage survey results

THE OPPOSITION and Victorian public have slammed a decision to offer public servants counselling for the same sex marriage result, saying it is a waste of taxpayer money. Have your say.

THE OPPOSITION and Victorian public have slammed a decision to offer public servants counselling when the result of same sex marriage survey is made public, saying it is a waste of taxpayer money.

Public servants will be offered counselling and a “supported space” when the results are released on Wednesday.

Two “specialist LGBTI counsellors” will be on hand for the bureaucrats as the winning vote is revealed on Wednesday morning.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman said the announcement would be “particularly challenging” for some public service staff.

But the public and state opposition say the counselling is a waste of money that should instead go to victims of crime.

“This money should be used to pay for counselling for victims of the crime tsunami under Daniel Andrews not for those who have simply taken part in a democratic process,” opposition spokesman Tim Smith said.

PREMIER URGES AUSTRALIANS TO VOTE YES IN MARRIAGE SURVEY

RAINBOW LANYARDS GIVEN TO PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS

VIC GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGING WORKERS NOT TO USE ‘WIFE’, ‘HUSBAND’

The results of the marriage equality survey will be released this week. Picture: Scott Barbour, Getty Images.

Herald Sun readers agree questioning whether counselling will be available to No voters if the Yes vote wins.

“Catering for LGBTIQ community but not for the Non-LGBTIQ community,” Peter wrote.

“They may need counselling. Discrimination.”

Ann said the move was outrageous.

“This is utter embarrassment considering our men and women survived wars without counselling,” she said.

“Who the heck is paying for this farcical rubbish?”

Other readers said the money should be spent on crime victims.

“What about counselling for the victims of the youth criminals Dan Andrews government keep on releasing into our society,” one reader said.

Public servants were offered counselling in an email sent last week.

“The marriage equality debate has been held over a prolonged period and is having a substantial impact on some VPS staff,” a spokeswoman said.

“On the day of the survey results announcement, arrangements have been made for two existing specialist LGBTI counsellors to be on site at a supported space for all VPS staff.”

The Herald Sun understands that the counsellors work for the government’s “employee assistance program” — a full-time service to help staff deal with stress, anxiety, depression or trauma.

The program also has counsellors trained on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex issues.

Victorian public servants will be offered counselling and a “supported space” when the results are released. Picture: AAP Image, Mal Fairclough

It comes after the Department of Premier and Cabinet released its LGBTI inclusion plan earlier this year.

The plan revealed that the department had an LGBTI Network, “ally” events and “LGBTI 101” as part of its diversity training.

“Attitudes and ideas that might be adverse to LGBTI inclusion can be the result of conscious and unconscious behaviours,” the plan said.

“It is our responsibility to challenge these ideas and work towards promoting inclusion

for all employees. Simple actions can result in meaningful change.”

[e-mail]

@moniquehore