Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (13:28): We cannot ignore what is occurring in many parts of the world, including here. The emboldened far right is successfully weaponising discontent and grievance to sow division and hate directed towards people of colour and First Nations people. The temptation by some to dismiss the loudest voices as fringe elements fails to recognise the very real harm and fear they are causing. Leaving them to go unchecked creates a creeping normalisation of these views that is infecting every sphere of our lives. I have been astounded at the number of times recently when I have tuned into the radio and heard debates where it is somehow totally acceptable for the topic of discussion to be whether all Australians should be allowed the same rights to be able to work, to own a home or to be here at all based simply on the colour of their skin, where their families may have come from or their religion – that it is somehow okay to discuss there being the right and wrong kinds of people. How on earth have we reached a place where this is legitimate debate? The people that are hurt by this pervasive racism are our neighbours, our friends, our constituents and our colleagues. Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and included, regardless of who they are or the colour of their skin, and all those with a platform like us in here should be fighting to ensure that is the case.