Thursday, 30 May 2024

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:24): (554) My question is also for the Attorney-General. Governments throughout the world have found themselves becoming captured by radical gender ideology. However, unlike many other governments, Victoria continues to bury its head in the sand following the release of the Cass review. It was reported by Bernard Lane in Gender Clinic News that last week the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission held an online briefing on the change and suppression act. A question from the audience about the Cass review was met with a response that likened England’s landmark report to disinformation from a ‘village idiot’. They then went on to claim that the Cass review was ‘not legitimate at all’. Is it appropriate that VEOHRC makes public claims about the legitimacy of scientific literature?

The PRESIDENT: I do not think the minister is responsible for that particular organisation.

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:25): There are a couple of issues that I have with your question, Mr Limbrick. I have no reason to doubt your words, but you are relaying third-hand, possibly fourth-hand, an incident that you cannot verify, and I certainly cannot verify. You are also seeking an opinion from me about an organisation that I have high regard for, but I certainly do not have responsibility for directing the actions of an independent agency. They do good work in relation to talking to community about a range of matters that protect people and respond to human rights discrimination, anti-vilification and the like, and I commend them for that good work. In relation to the specifics of your question, I think there are just too many problems with it for me to go on any further.

David Limbrick: On a point of order, President, I am actually not asking for an opinion, I am asking for –

Jaclyn SYMES: You said, ‘Is it appropriate?’

David Limbrick: Well, is it within their remit that they make public statements about scientific literature?

The PRESIDENT: I will call you for your supplementary. The minister has answered.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:27): Is it within the remit of VEOHRC to make public statements about scientific literature? Because to me it does not seem to be something that their organisation should be doing.

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:27): As I said, Mr Limbrick, I do not think it is appropriate for me to be drawn on specific comments that cannot be verified. What I can say is that it is important for VEOHRC to be out there talking to the community and responding to questions that are put to them.