Thursday, 20 February 2025

Ministers statements: community safety

Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:36): In Victoria there is no place for hate. Victoria is one of the most inclusive places in the world, and our diversity is our strength. The Allan Labor government has proudly driven reform to support our diverse community. We have acted quickly to implement recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry into anti-vilification protections. As Victorians we should be extremely proud, as the first Australian state or territory to ban the public display of the Nazi symbol in recognition of its role in inciting antisemitism and hate. Whatever your gender, your sexuality, your religion or your cultural background, Victoria is a place where you belong. Here you are accepted for who you are. It is the foundation of our community. It is the foundation of our democracy.

The overwhelming majority of us are committed to that ideal, but it is being challenged by a small number of people, now more than ever before. We have seen appalling attacks on Victorians, attacks on people that the offenders do not even know for no reason other than hatred of who they are. Over the last few weeks I have met with community and faith leaders on new laws to protect against anti-vilification, and they are all united. We must act, because we know what happens if we do not – rising antisemitism, rising Islamophobia. We saw neo-Nazis attend a rally in south-east Melbourne attended by the Leader of the Opposition. You cannot pick and choose –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, again under standing order 119, the Premier should refrain from making such improper reflections and actually engage in respectful debate. She is making statements that are completely baseless and untrue, and I would ask you to ask her to desist.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, there is no point of order. Everything that the Attorney-General said is the truth; it is factual. It has been reported extensively. There was a rally that was organised by the Leader of the Opposition to which Nazis showed up.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order. The member for Glen Waverley can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Glen Waverley withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a further point of order, Speaker, three ministers in a row have effectively preached hate in question time today – preached hate and used it under the guise of –

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. The first point of order raised by the Manager of Opposition Business is also not a point of order.

Sonya KILKENNY: You cannot pick and choose when it comes to equality. You do not get to say that vilification against one group is unacceptable but vilification against another group is okay. Hatred has no place here in Victoria, and if those opposite actually wanted to stop hate, then they would stop getting in the way of this government’s work, support the community and join with us.