Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Community safety

Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (13:44): Today I stand here deeply disturbed as I speak up against an appalling assault on two fellow Victorians at the Pacific Epping shopping centre in the electorate I represent. There were two separate attacks within minutes on two women, who are now frightened, hurt and no longer feel safe in their homes or homeland. Their attacker is unknown to them. There was no interaction or forewarning leading to the assaults, but both women were wearing hijabs, and this is what the perpetrator targeted, including trying to tighten the scarf around one of the women’s necks. While we are still waiting for the full details of the Victoria Police investigation, what we do know is this: those women, simply by going about their daily lives, were subjected to fear and violence simply for being who they are. No-one should ever feel that their safety is at risk because of their faith, their identity or their background.

Earlier today I had the privilege of meeting with representatives from the Board of Imams here in Parliament, and we spoke about this horrific incident. I assured them, as I do here today, of our government’s unwavering commitment to creating a safer Victoria for all. There is no place for Islamophobia, and we must all work to stop it. We understand the pain caused by such attacks runs deep, and we will work closely with communities to address these issues with the urgency and sensitivity they deserve. Racism and Islamophobia have no place in our society. We need the full force of the law to stamp them out. I want to thank those very strong, brave, courageous women for calling this out, and I want to tell them here that they are not alone.