Thursday, 28 August 2025

Ministers statements: community safety

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:38): Every member of this Parliament enjoys an enormous privilege, and too we carry an important responsibility not just to lead but to bring communities together, to bring people together, to stand against the kind of hate that festers on the fringes and to push back against the poison that corrodes trust, truth and safety in our community. And in a week like this – a harrowing, tragic week – Victorians expect us to rise to that responsibility. That is the least that they should expect. Here we represent communities – not conspiracies, not fantasies, not hatred dressed up as debate. That is why my government strengthened the anti-hate laws to make it clear that incitement of hate, division and contempt has no place in our state.

That is why whenever hatred and division appear in the news, online and on our streets we call it out, and what happens here under this roof is no different. We call it out every time conspiracy rears its disgusting head, whether it is standing with abusive signs on the steps of this Parliament; inciting fear in multicultural communities, which strengthen our state; or spreading conspiracy in the Legislative Council that demeans this Parliament and endangers the communities we represent.

There is no dignity in silence, and this Parliament must set the standard, because when we speak with conviction here we give Victorians the confidence to do the same. And Victorians expect every member in this place on all sides to meet that standard. Anyone willing to tolerate that filth in their actions, their policies or their party room diminishes not only themselves but the dignity of this place.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek some guidance with regard to the point of order made by the Leader of the Nationals earlier. He was stopped part way through. I refer you to Rulings from the Chair: ‘Point of order must be stated before background information given’. The Leader of the Nationals did not have the opportunity to give background information, so I seek clarification if there has been a new ruling from the Chair in this regard.

The SPEAKER: I am happy to take that on notice, member for Eildon.