Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Extremism

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (13:43): (202) My question is to the Leader of the Government, representing the Premier. Over the weekend another disturbing event was organised by neo-Nazis, this time in Sunshine West. Reports are that white supremacist groups the National Socialist Network and the European Australian Movement held a two-day event for members of the nationalist community at a gym. The slogan they used on their posters to advertise the event said ‘Australia for the white man’. This movement seems to be more emboldened, there are more frequent events and it is terrifying. Brave community protesters are exposing these gatherings, and I fear that without them these white supremacists would be going unchallenged and unchecked. How are Victoria’s culturally diverse communities meant to feel safe with these escalating threats? My question is, Attorney: what is the government’s response to this most recent event?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (13:44): I thank Dr Ratnam for her question and join her in expressing concern about that conduct and about that behaviour and the message that it is sending to Victorians that do not deserve to have those messages targeted at them. There are a range of government initiatives designed to tackle the rise of this unacceptable behaviour, a lot of it in my portfolio in relation to anti-vilification, and that work is a priority and ongoing. There is a lot of work also in relation to Minister Brooks’s portfolio into social cohesiveness, multicultural communities, empowerment and the like. It is fair to say this is a community issue, and hearing other people call it out other than just leaders – which we are all committed to doing – is something that I am particularly proud of in our state. There are a lot of people that condemn this behaviour and there are a lot of people that stand up to this behaviour, and as the government is committed to doing that we hope more and more people will join with us in that cause.

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (13:45): Thank you very much, Attorney. I appreciate that response, and I appreciate the efforts the government is making on a number of fronts in those portfolio areas you mentioned, along with efforts to ban far-right symbols. However, the concern is that it is clearly not dampening the enthusiasm of these racists far enough. In fact the parliamentary inquiry that was conducted in this place in the last term into the rise of far-right extremism recommended a whole range of things, including community-wide social cohesion and anti-racism awareness raising, amongst other actions it outlined. My question is: when will we see these scaled-up actions that inquiries like that inquiry recommended the government get on with as a matter of urgency?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (13:46): I thank you for your supplementary question, and I am sure we will have ongoing conversations about these issues. There are a lot of programs underway. Maybe I will allow the Premier’s office to provide you with a comprehensive list. I have covered off some of them. There is work going on with Victoria Police. There is a lot of work in education. There is a collection of work. It is a beefed-up response. I am sure I can provide you with greater detail that lists it for you so that you can come and talk to us about any of the ones you are particularly interested in perhaps participating in.