Federal election
Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (10:01): I rise to make a brief statement about the increasingly toxic and radioactive presence of Peter Dutton in Victorian and Australian political life. I have got to tell you, Mr Dutton’s history of creating division in our multicultural communities is well known. His infamous claim that people in Melbourne were too afraid to go out to dinner because of so-called African gangs was not only baseless, it was dangerous. It inflamed racial tensions and targeted communities who deserved respect, not vilification. It was met with ridicule by Victorians returning to a vibrant Melbourne night-life. His toxicity extends to First Nations people. Mr Dutton refused to attend the national apology to the stolen generations – a moment of national healing that he chose to ignore. Even now he continues to undermine efforts towards reconciliation.
On climate action Mr Dutton’s stance is equally poisonous. He has spent years delaying, denying and ridiculing meaningful steps to address the climate crisis, blocking progress when urgent action has been needed. And now he has gone fully radioactive, literally, with his push for nuclear energy. It is expensive, outdated and unwanted by Australians. Mr Dutton’s brand of politics is not leadership; it is division, delay and denial. Australians deserve better than the fear and toxicity that he represents.