Thursday, 19 March 2026

 John MULLAHY (Glen Waverley) (17:07): (1602) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Can the minister update the house on what the Allan Labor government is doing to respond to the rise of hate and division and to ensure families in communities like the Glen Waverley district feel safe and respected and that they belong? In Glen Waverley we are a community built on families from all over the world – families who came here for opportunity, who work hard, raise their kids and build a life in our schools, our businesses and our workplaces. That diversity is our story. It is our strength, and I will always stand up for it. But right now families in my community are telling me something is not right. Following the anti-immigration rallies we saw last year, I heard from many parents in my community that were worried about their children travelling to the city. We have seen anti-Chinese signs appear in our neighbourhoods, with consequences of children being racially abused on buses and at school. If you are a parent, that cuts deep, because it does not stop at the school gate. It comes home; it stays with you. It is what hate does, and that is not who we are, because in Glen Waverley the Chinese Australian families working hard for their kids, that is us. The Indian Australian small business owner, that is us. The Sri Lankan, Tamil, Pakistani, Malaysian, Korean and Vietnamese families building a future, that is us. They are not separate from our community; they are our community.

Racism and fear do not happen in a vacuum. When the Liberal Party’s federal Deputy Leader Senator Jane Hume talks about Chinese spies, it does not stay in Canberra; it lands in my community. It lands on volunteers who give their time to participate in our democracy, only to be made to feel like their loyalty is somehow suspect. That is wrong. And when the Nationals then Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price makes offensive remarks about Indian migrants, that too lands here, on families raising children, running businesses and contributing every day. It creates doubt, it creates hurt and it makes people question whether they truly belong. That is the damage of careless, divisive language. To every family in Glen Waverley, to every parent, to every student, to every volunteer, I say: you should never feel like you have to hide who you are. Your children deserve to feel safe, proud that they belong, because you do belong. Glen Waverley is your home. Victoria is your home.

I also want to place on the record my deep appreciation for my staff, who serve our community with integrity, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the people of the Glen Waverley district.

They work long hours, often behind the scenes, helping residents navigate complex issues and supporting families in need and helpfully communicating in language so we can best serve our community. It is deeply disappointing that Anthony Galloway of the Australian has chosen to target my electorate officers, including naming one of them in an article, simply for doing their job, exposing them to unfair scrutiny and personal distress. That does not strengthen accountability, it undermines it. My staff deserve respect, and I will stand with them every single day.