Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (14:54): I rise to speak in support of my friend Brittany Higgins ahead of the premiere of Silenced this evening at the Melbourne International Film Festival. When people stop me in public to speak to me, Josh often says, ‘She’s even better in real life,’ which is very embarrassing. But it is how I think of Britt too. Britt is often described as strong, and she is, but it is in ways she should never have had to be. Since she, David, Freddie and of course Kingston coincidentally moved right nearby, I have had the joy of not only one of the special friendships you need most in this life and this job but of seeing Britt’s incredible work as a lived experience advocate up close and in real time. Tonight our city gets to see that too. Silenced is a documentary featuring survivors like Brittany, Amber Heard, Catalina Ruiz-Navarro and human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson. It tells the story of a legal system being used to victimise, discredit and ruin survivors, all while their lives are put on public display. These lawsuits are known as SLAPPs, strategic lawsuits against public participation, and they are used against survivors, activists and even journalists. Except for in the ACT, Australia has practically no legal protections against SLAPPs, and they are damaging people and their lives. Stories like those shown in tonight’s documentary prove exactly why that desperately needs fixing, and I am incredibly proud to stand alongside Britt in her fight for change.