Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In recent times there have been a number of incidents of apparently religiously motivated vilification on the south side in Queensland, from a woman with a child being yelled at and sworn at to a woman having coffee thrown in her face. Another woman was asked to take off her headscarf so someone could set fire to it. The place of worship at Rocklea was vandalised. Previous to that, there was vandalism at the mosque at Mareeba. I am really pleased to say, though, that our community is pulling together to speak out against religious vilification.

Religious vilification is unlawful in Queensland. The Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits religious vilification in Queensland, and I wanted to add my voice to the voices of those in our community who are speaking out in favour of Australia's multiculturalism and against violence, abuse, discrimination and religious vilification.

I am really pleased to say to you that the Muslim community on the south side in Brisbane has been working very hard to make sure they encourage an atmosphere of respect. The Holland Park mosque is more than 100 years old. We have long had a great Muslim community in Queensland, and I congratulate them for their efforts to spread tolerance and peace.