Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Ministers statements: Natalie Rabey and Phil Carswell

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (13:40): I rise today to honour two exceptional members of our communities. The late Natalie Rabey, who was chair of the Ashburton Ashwood Chadstone Public Tenants Group, sadly passed away two weeks ago. Since 2005 this group has worked really hard to represent the needs of local renters, providing free advice and assistance and running the popular annual event Public and Proud, which has brought public housing community members together. In 2017 Natalie and the AAC tenants group won the Frances Penington Award for social housing volunteering. Natalie was also a long-time board member of the Victorian Public Tenants Association, sat on the board of several neighbourhood houses and frequently participated in broader public consultation, including the recent statewide public housing consultative committee for public housing residents. Natalie was dedicated in her advocacy for public housing tenants and community involvement, and she will be remembered for her tireless efforts to help those in need. My condolences to all of her family, friends and colleagues and indeed the broader community and those who were touched by Natalie’s advocacy and passion throughout her life.

In the equality portfolio I rise to pay tribute to the late and wonderful Phil Carswell. Phil passed away on 17 March, leaving behind a remarkable legacy for our LGBTIQA+ communities. Phil was a trailblazer; a community advocate; a campaigner for AIDS prevention across government, political and community sectors for more than 40 years; and the founding president of Thorne Harbour Health, formerly the Victorian AIDS Council. Phil was, quite simply, a pioneer in exceptionally difficult circumstances. He was the first openly gay man employed by the Victorian health department to support AIDS prevention and an inaugural member of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2015 for his dedication to public health, particularly for people living with HIV. He was steadfast in his commitment to these particular passions of his and advocated staunchly for equality. My condolences to his husband Ian, his friends, his family, his colleagues at Thorne Harbour Health and beyond and anyone who was lucky enough to connect with him.