Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (13:32): I want to use my time to, on behalf of the Greens, condemn the offensive and frankly pathetic sexist and racist statements that some have been trying to bring back into our political discourse. We are seeing billboards with slogans on them that were already out of touch 15 years ago. We are seeing reckless parties and bad actors trying to revive racist policies that this country left behind in the White Australia days. These views are tired, they are outdated and they are just plain wrong. I believe they are out of step with our community, who embrace multiculturalism and First Peoples’ connection to land and culture. What Victorians want is leadership and hope. They do not want reheated hate. Those who would drag us back in time are going to have their work cut out for them, as evidenced by the make-up of this Parliament, where we have already reached gender parity; by the euphoric embrace of the Socceroos’ triumph – a constellation of talent in that team and a moment of national pride that it was made possible, in part, by compassion for the incredible people who come to us as refugees and migrants; and by my community in Southern Metro, who delivered some of the highest yes votes in support of the voice in the country. Our Victorian community is strong because of our diversity, and we will not be fooled by political dinosaurs and interstate blow-ins who can only offer up empty promises, worn-out stereotypes and sad echoes of old campaigns. Victorians have said it before and will say it again: no to sexism and no to racism, and the Greens stand with them.