Human rights
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (09:42): Throughout our society there is a gross dehumanisation and othering that leads to institutional bias and stigma and distorts political priorities. We see it in the shameful failure of governments in addressing pervasive and deep-rooted racism that results in First Nations people dying in custody, like Veronica Nelson and so many before and after her. What does it take for the people that work in an institution to be able to ignore cries for help from a woman in agony? We see it throughout the medical system – for example, when the pain of women and gender-diverse people is diminished and undertreated. What has happened to healthcare workers for them to be able to dismiss women’s pain as unworthy of attention? We see it in public opposition to specialised housing for people experiencing mental health issues or substance dependence. What has happened to a society that says some people are less worthy of housing near them than others? These attitudes and behaviours are the result of a culture that sees some lives as less valuable, with needs that are less than others. It is incumbent upon political leaders to check themselves and challenge institutional and cultural bias in what they say and the decisions they make to ensure that everyone is recognised and treated as fully human.