Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Ashwood electorate

Matt FREGON (Ashwood) (14:48): (147) My constituency question is for the Minister for Equality in the other place, and I ask: how is the Andrews government promoting acceptance and validity of identity to all my constituents of Ashwood? Recently we have seen some shameful scenes in Monash City Council of abuse, childish theatrics, unfounded criminal allegations and threats of violence and harassment, none of which have any place in Monash, Ashwood, Victoria or indeed this country. I am all for us having debate with different views regardless of how wrong or hurtful I may think those views may be, and I will do my best to respect someone’s right to have them, but if you stoop to the shameful actions we saw at Monash council – if you have swapped constructive debate for the worst of mob mentality – then I have stopped listening. You should get in the bin, and those people should know better. To the Monash mayor and councillors, CEO and staff and our wider community, I am sorry that you had to put up with that. Every Victorian has the right to be respected and accepted for being who they are. We must continue to stand for inclusion.