Ministers statements: LGBTIQA+ support
Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (14:07): I am saddened to have to rise to make a statement to the house in relation to quite shameful conduct out at the City of Monash last week and decisions that, very sadly, the CEO and the mayor of that council have had to make in relation to cancelling a number of events – events that are about celebrating diversity, events that are about sending a message to often some of the most vulnerable people in our Victorian community that they are loved, they are respected, they are safe and they are supported by their government and their community. I make this statement not just as the Premier of a state where equality is not negotiable; I also make this statement as a long-time ratepayer in the City of Monash. I do not know how many of these protestors, with not an exercise of free speech but an exercise in hate speech, violence, bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, the list goes on – these were ugly scenes by any measure, including, can I say, death threats against council officers and councillors – it is a disgrace, it is shameful. My message to those people is, very clearly: if you want to behave like the worst elements of the Floridian Republican Party, get to Florida. Head over there, where your hateful views might be worth something. They are worth nothing here. We will not stand for this sort of ugly behaviour. It is appalling, and I again make the point: it is not about free speech. This is hate speech plain and simple. It is wrong. It is out of step with the values of fair-minded, decent mainstream Victorians. It is on the fringe.
But enough about those people. Let us send the clearest message that equality is not negotiable, and despite the carry-on and the shameful behaviour of a small few, this government and this community remain committed to every single Victorian no matter who they are or who they love.