Thursday, 14 November 2024

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (10:09): On Saturday I was very pleased to be joined by a large number of Labor MPs from the south-east and the Minister for Planning to deliver an election commitment to name a landmark in honour of the founder of the Sikh faith Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak’s message and values of unity, equality and selfless service continue to resonate through the contributions of the Sikh community to all Victorians. Sikh Victorians are shocked that Liberal leader John Pesutto came out to oppose the naming of the lake in Berwick Springs after Guru Nanak, a lake which did not even have an official name before Saturday. Many locals love the idea of naming it after the founder of the Sikh faith, but John Pesutto went further and suggested that it will lead to people’s barbecues being taken away. We do not need this kind of xenophobic fearmongering in this state when it comes to multiculturalism. One of Victoria’s greatest strengths is our diversity, something Labor will always champion, which is why we were so proud to bring Guru Nanak Lake to life. Let us get down there, let us have a barbecue and let us celebrate our diversity.