Saturday Magazine

26 Dec 2025

25/12/2025: Christmas Magazine: Joe Ball, Victoria Commissioner LGBTIQ+ Communities

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25/12/2025: Christmas Magazine: Joe Ball, Victoria Commissioner LGBTIQ+ Communities

Macca and Paul are back doing their annual special Christmas show with the with some of our most special and favourite guests from the Community and Politics.

Joe Ball (he/him) is the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, appointed in 2024. A proud transgender man and long-time advocate, Joe has an extensive background in social services, mental health support and LGBTQIA+ community work. Previously associated with Switchboard Victoria, he has championed initiatives such as Rainbow Door and programs supporting survivors of family violence. Joe focuses on improving access to services, reducing stigma, and ensuring Victorian LGBTIQA+ communities are included in policy decisions.

Commissioner Ball (he/him) is a proud transgender man. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services.

Commissioner Ball is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Federal Government’s 10-Year LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Plan. He has previously participated in several leading social service advisory committees and boards. This includes the Victorian Family Violence peak body Safe and Equal, the Community Advisory Committee for 1800RESPECT, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group, and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee.

Joe was previously CEO of Switchboard Victoria for eight years, where he led the establishment of Rainbow Door, the state-wide LGBTIQA+ family violence and mental health helpline.

Throughout his expansive career, Joe has drawn upon the strength and guidance of LGBTIQA+ history and most importantly, the work of activists who have paved the way, the courageous voices with lived experience and the wisdom of LGBTIQA+ elders.

In 2020, Joe was honoured as an award recipient in the 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders in Australia.