Tuesday, 7 February 2023

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:27): I rise to make my first members statement of the Parliament this year, and in doing so I would like to wish all members in the chamber a very happy new year and also to the constituents in my region, the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. Even though it is February, we still have not done those pleasantries, so happy new year to everyone in the chamber today.

There are just two matters I would like to touch on quickly. Just at the weekend I along with a number of my colleagues attended the Midsumma Pride March. It was the culmination of a festival of celebration, the Midsumma Festival, which began on 21 January and finished at the weekend. Can I say I was so pleased to see such a strong showing of support for the LGBTIQ+ community in Victoria. I had a great time, I had an absolute ball, and I know a number of my colleagues who attended with me also had a great time. It was really a wonderful celebration of diversity in Victoria, while also letting our LGBTIQ+ Victorians know that they are loved and we love them being here – and we also love the fact that they know how to party. It was a great celebration. I do believe I saw Mr Davis there, minus the Panama hat and the dark glasses this time, so a bit of an incremental change there. However, I do believe that this march was the most well attended march, and the Pride March is getting bigger and bigger every year. There were thousands of Victorians who attended this year, and I know this will continue to grow year on year.