Thursday, 31 July 2025

Southern Metropolitan Region

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (12:44): (1702) My constituency question is for the Premier. A constituent in my electorate has contacted me, deeply concerned about rising anti-LGBTIQA+ hate in Victoria, including online abuse, targeted harassment on dating apps and homophobic graffiti on community spaces. This is not an isolated concern. A national survey by Minus18 found that 89 per cent of LGBTIQA+ young people have experienced bullying, harassment or violence in their lifetime, with 57 per cent experiencing it in the past year. My constituent is concerned by these attacks and is calling for stronger leadership. They are particularly concerned that the state’s Anti-Hate Taskforce does not appear to include a representative from the LGBTIQA+ community – a group that has long been disproportionately targeted by hate and deserves meaningful representation in the government’s response. Premier, will the government appoint a representative from the LGBTIQA+ community to the Anti-Hate Taskforce?