Thursday, 8 February 2024

Ministers statements: community safety

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:06): I rise today as Minister for Multicultural Affairs to acknowledge the ongoing distress in our community as a result of the conflict in Israel and Gaza. I think it is a timely reminder to remind ourselves of our role in this place as elected representatives of some of the most diverse communities in the world. Many thousands of people have made Victoria home after fleeing conflict and persecution. This state has been a safe haven and a new beginning for many diasporas, and I am proud to represent them both as minister and as a member for Melbourne’s west.

I believe that in times of conflict we have an even greater responsibility and indeed a duty to bring Victorians together and to be unified by our common values. I know many community leaders are doing this, but their efforts can be hindered by the careless grandstanding and rhetoric of a small minority. I speak regularly with leaders from the Islamic, Palestinian and Jewish communities, and I know they all continue to share a sense of fear for their communities here in Victoria. We must all show leadership during this particularly challenging time to promote peace, empathy and understanding within and between our communities. Our state’s social cohesion is too important to play politics with. I would like to acknowledge and thank all of those community and faith leaders who have committed to continuing to support people impacted by this tragic conflict for many, many months now, and I call on everyone here in this place to be part of spreading a message of unity and empathy within our community and to work to bring all Victorians together at this particularly challenging time. Regardless of our politics, we should all be working to ensure Victoria is a place where every member of our community can feel safe and represented.