In Parliament

Motion - Attempt to Introduce Racial Vilification Amendment

MOTION

‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE RACIAL VILIFICATION AMENDMENT’.

Tuesday, 16 May 2023.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16):

I rise to speak on the Greens’ proposal to introduce a bill to expand antivilification laws to protect people on the basis of gender, sexuality, HIV status and disability.

Many times in this Chamber, in both this term and previous terms, this House has debated the fact that the Government misuses this place and does not allow many important debates to occur on issues of importance in the community – issues that are raised by non-Government Members.

Non-Government business is stymied, and we see that here today with the Government noting they will not allow the opportunity for the Member for Richmond to introduce this Bill.

It is not about necessarily the substance of each Bill, it is about the importance of non-Government Members being able to bring forward important issues into this Chamber. The Coalition will be supporting the Greens in their introduction, and it notes –

Members interjecting.

James NEWBURY: All the yelling of those opposite –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Manager of Opposition Business will be heard in silence.

James NEWBURY: All the yelling of those opposite does not take away from the fact that the Government is about to oppose the introduction of this Bill.

Non-Government Members should be entitled to bring important debates into this Chamber. Shame on those opposite – shame on their actions, not their words.

Shame on them.