Tuesday, 18 March 2025

 Iwan WALTERS (Greenvale) (19:06): (1064) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me in my community to meet with members of my strong and diverse Muslim community and update them on what the Allan Labor government is doing to confront and combat Islamophobia and all forms of religiously motivated hatred in our community. Since the start of Ramadan I have been so grateful to join so many iftar dinners across Greenvale, including just last night with the minister at the table, the Minister for Veterans, where Muslim families and community organisations have generously welcomed me and many others to share both a meal and the observance of their faith.

Sadly, however, this year Ramadan aligns with the six-year anniversary of the horrific, targeted and hateful attack on the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. That is why as a community we came together on Saturday 15 March, last Saturday, to recognise the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and to remember those who lost their lives solely because of their faith and solely because of where they were to give expression to that faith.

I stand with my community in opposing hate speech and violent extremism, including Islamophobia, to make sure that all people in my community feel secure, welcomed and celebrated regardless of their religion. Freedom of faith and association are the foundational pillars of our democratic and diverse society, and it is important that all Victorians are respected, regardless of their faith and cultural background. I look forward to the minister joining me very soon.