Thursday, 18 March 2021

Ministers statements: multiculturalism

Ms SPENCE (Yuroke—Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Youth) (11:39): I rise today to acknowledge the extraordinary value of multiculturalism in our state. We are a community that embraces people from all backgrounds, and Victoria has proudly cemented itself as one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. At this time of the year, during Harmony Week, celebrating multiculturalism takes on a whole new meaning. This occasion emphasises the need for each of us to proactively foster inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Victorians, not just this week but every day. Our differences in cultural backgrounds and beliefs strengthen and enrich us, and we have a collective responsibility to uphold attitudes and behaviours that support a culturally inclusive society. This week Victorians are coming together to celebrate the contributions of multicultural communities, and many of the Harmony Week events taking place have been supported by the Andrews Labor government’s multicultural festivals and events program. I am also pleased that the approach to multicultural affairs has largely been bipartisan as a reflection of the importance of this portfolio to the values of our state. However, this week, Harmony Week, I am reminded of the importance of these values because the actions of some undermine our collective efforts—actions like those of Bernie Finn in the other place hosting fundraisers for far-right extremists who seek to undermine our multicultural and multifaith activities and values, actions like those—

Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, it is contrary to the forms of this house for any imputation to be made against a member here or in the other place other than by way of substantive motion. I ask you to call the minister back to order.

Ms Allan: On the point of order, Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition’s point of order should be ruled out of order. The Minister for Multicultural Affairs was simply stating matters of fact, and if the Leader of the Opposition wants to defend far-right extremism, let that be a question for him to answer.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ruled earlier in the day, when a member of the opposition was referring to comments made by a minister in the other place, that it is not in order to personally reflect on a member of the other place but it is allowable to reflect on the actions or comments of a member of the other place. I will remind the minister in her comments to do that.

Ms SPENCE: Actions like those of the previous Leader of the Opposition, whose Liberal Party 2018 election review noted that the focus on African gangs was seen as a political tactic rather than as an authentic problem—

Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, this has nothing to do with government business, nothing to do with government business whatsoever, and if ministers statements are simply going to be used to attack the opposition, then there will be consequences.

Ms Allan: On the point of order, Speaker, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs is absolutely being relevant to government business, and talking about alternative policies is entirely relevant to government business, particularly when those alternative policies are so divisive in our community.

The SPEAKER: On the point of order, I remind the minister to stick to making a minister’s statement and not attacking the opposition.

Ms SPENCE: In Victoria, historically we have been better than that. Multiculturalism has been a bipartisan portfolio. Harmony Week is a good time to reflect upon that, and I wish everyone a very happy Harmony Week.

Mr Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, you ruled against the minister in terms of going down that path, and the minister just read her statement verbatim. I ask you to rule her minister’s statement out of order. You ruled twice against the minister going down that path. Multiculturalism has always been an issue that we have bipartisan support for. It is ridiculous the minister would take that approach—ridiculous.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Caulfield is not making a point of order. The minister’s statement has been concluded.