Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (09:51): A year ago this week the Parliament took a decisive stand against hate in Victoria and passed Labor’s anti-vilification law to protect those at risk of hate and bigotry. It was an exceptionally important piece of legislation, a landmark piece of legislation, that criminalised hate speech and that took stronger action against vilification, and it was one that many in our community here in Victoria – many faith groups, many religious groups, many multicultural groups – came together on and urged us as a Parliament to pass, including many from the Jewish community in the Southern Metropolitan Region. I was pretty proud to be part of the Parliament that day that passed those laws – laws the Liberal Party voted against. The Liberal Party voted against the anti-hate laws a year ago. Their hollow words of support for religious groups in our community, for multifaith groups in our community, evaporated as they stayed idle in their seats when presented with the opportunity to stand up and enact real protections. They are yet to explain why. We keep asking why the Liberal Party voted against Labor’s anti-hate speech laws, and they continue to stay silent. But Labor will not stay silent in continuing our advocacy for a Victoria free from hatred, a Victoria free from bigotry and a Victoria where everyone is cherished and celebrated.