Tuesday, 15 October 2024

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:17): I rise today to update the house on the government’s commitment to strengthening our anti-vilification legislation. We have heard – and I have spoken on this in this place many times – that our current anti-vilification laws have not been effective or accessible, and that is why I have publicly committed to introducing anti-vilification reform in legislation this year. I am pleased to confirm to the house that the development of these reforms is on track. The development of anti-vilification reforms has been significant, and it has been complex. We have had four rounds of public consultation on potential changes take place in the last 18 months, including the most recent round, which ran from 20 September to last Friday. This does not include the countless number of briefings that my department have had with peak bodies, stakeholders and community members and the many face-to-face conversations that I have personally facilitated. It is indisputable that community sentiment, particularly as we acknowledge the solemn one-year anniversary of the 7 October attacks and the subsequent conflict, is that we need these crucial reforms and without further delay, unlike what some of those opposite have shamefully called for as recently as last week.

As I finalise this extensive work, I will continue to meet with people within multicultural and multifaith communities as well as members of the LGBTIQ+ community as we work on getting these laws right. I know that there are also members in the chamber that have requested briefings, and of course they will be facilitated as well. My focus is and always has been on the outcomes of the reforms to protect Victorians and to make sure that there are responsive criminal, civil and legal avenues to address the harm caused by hateful conduct and vilification. Ultimately, I am committed to promoting the full, safe and equal participation of all Victorians in society, free from hate, because of course hate has no place in our community. Every Victorian without exception deserves to be safe, supported and equal.