Thursday, 14 November 2024

 Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:18): On to matters further afield, and to echo the sentiments of my fellow member Dr Heath, I too have great concerns about the personal status law. This is a law in the country of Iraq. It is law 188. There have been a number of attempts over the last 20 years to change that law. It has diabolical implications for young girls and women. In essence what it does propose to do is change the age of consent from 18, as it currently stands, down to nine. I will repeat that: from 18 down to nine. It also has proposals in respect to divorce, inheritance and child custody for girls and women. I would urge the Minister for Women in this place but also the Premier to make the Victorian state’s opinion and view very clear to the people of Iraq and their leadership as best we can.