Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (22:44): (2169) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Equality, and the action that I seek is for the minister to outline what supports are available for trans and gender-diverse people in Victoria. We know that words from people in positions of power matter, especially when they are directed at a small group who already face discrimination, violence and exclusion. Over recent years – and potentially even in recent hours, in one case – we have seen a deeply troubling pattern of transphobic comments from members of this place, including Mrs Hermans and Mrs Deeming. But whether it has been using this Parliament and the media to question the legitimacy of trans people’s identities –

Ann-Marie Hermans: On a point of order, President, I am sorry, I find it really offensive to be accused of that. There was a line of questioning that was certainly not in the line of anything that was phobic. It was simply a line of questioning of concern for children.

The PRESIDENT: I am taking the point of order seriously.

Harriet Shing: On the point of order, President, nothing in the comments that Mr Galea made was unparliamentary.

The PRESIDENT: I am just concerned it is an accusation against a sitting member. It should really be in a substantive motion if someone wants to make that accusation, rather than an adjournment matter or any other matter.

Harriet Shing: Further on the point of order, President, it was an expression of opinion, and that is something which is made by way of comment regularly in this place as part of the ordinary process of contributions made by people when they are on their feet. Again, there was not a substantive allegation as such. It is, to my mind, more appropriately characterised as a commentary on the proceedings of this place.

The PRESIDENT: I felt that it –

Wendy Lovell: Further to the point of order, President, the member is in the chamber. She has said that she has taken offence and asked for a withdrawal. I think if the member is offended, Mr Galea should withdraw.

The PRESIDENT: Yes, I understand the member has taken offence and 100 per cent has the right to ask to withdraw – if she has taken offence; it has to be offensive. Getting back to my first response to Mrs Hermans’s point of order, I think it is an accusation that is offensive, and if someone wants to make that sort of accusation, I think it should be a substantive motion. So I will counsel Mr Galea that he does not reflect on a sitting member in that fashion. Could he revise any comments around that, and could he please proceed in that fashion.

Michael GALEA: I will keep my remarks broad, but I am gravely concerned about the commentary that is bandied about in this place from time to time, because it does have a real impact on trans and gender-diverse Victorians in particular. The words that we say as elected representatives matter, and the words that many public figures in roles of leadership matter. It is why it is so important that all of us actually live the values that we seek to put out there, and it is why if you are seeking, for example, the leadership of a political party and you are going to take the support of people who you may fundamentally disagree with on some matters, it is so important that you actually stand up for what you believe in. Anyone who seeks to lead this state should have the guts to stand up and speak up for all Victorians, including those of different gender backgrounds, those of different racial backgrounds, those of different sexual orientations and those from trans and gender-diverse backgrounds too, because if you truly want to lead this state, you should lead this state for all Victorians, and if you are going to put yourself up as a moderate, you should make your views clear within and beyond your party as well.

The reason for my adjournment this evening is that I do want the Minister for Equality –

Bev McArthur: On a point of order, President, I believe Mr Galea is casting aspersions on members in either this chamber or the other chamber, and I do think he should withdraw, and it is –

The PRESIDENT: I think that is very common in commentary about a whole party, which you can reflect on. It happens a lot in this chamber on both sides of the chamber. If it is directed at a sitting member, that is a completely different thing. I will ask Mr Galea to ask his action.

Michael GALEA: The dignity of trans people may be up for debate in the Victorian Liberal Party, but it is not up for debate in this government. I ask the minister to outline what supports are available for trans and gender-diverse people in Victoria who need support.