Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What makes us proud to call this country home is our continuous affirmation of a shared commitment towards respecting Australia, Australians, Australian institutions and Australian values regardless of our diverse backgrounds. The diversity of this country makes Australia a much more wonderful place to live. Our unity in diversity continues to be among our greatest strengths. It grows stronger when we stand together in unity and compassion against all forms of hate and violence.

Australians are bestowed with several freedoms, including speech, religion and peaceful protest. With these freedoms come a set of important responsibilities. I believe the most important of these is our responsibility to respect each other, to use peaceful means to abide by the law and to live in harmony.

The vandalism of places of worship and the incidence of violence we've seen in the last two weeks in Melbourne is completely unacceptable in our multicultural and multifaith society. This government stands firmly against violence and vandalism of any kind. I am pleased with the Victoria Police's response and fully support their investigation into these hateful acts. I thank the House.