Tuesday,31 October 2023

Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (13:40): Unfortunately, a small minority of people are using this conflict to amplify hate speech and similar actions here in Australia. This will not be tolerated. I am proud to live in a country where such hateful displays are prohibited and where every person has the same rights and can accept to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. I am so proud to live in the electorate of Broadmeadows, where I am reminded every day that multiculturalism is worth protecting and worth fighting for, where people from all over the world celebrated together at the Fawkner festival on Sunday and at least 20 different ethnic groups were sharing barbecues and playgrounds peacefully at Jack Roper Reserve. At the Hume Central Secondary College year 12 graduation on Friday you could hear both the haka and the zalget as the students’ achievements were celebrated. I am so grateful to all of the community leaders who work hard every day to celebrate our diversity and safeguard our communities from division and hate.