Josh Burns (Macnamara, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This past weekend, we saw confronting sights on the streets of Melbourne as antitrans activists were supported by a squad of Neo-Nazis giving Nazi salutes. Both of these groups were seeking to spread hatred and vilify minority groups through their dark ideologies. Human rights are indivisible. Every Australian deserves acceptance, respect and to be part of a community, and trans people deserve nothing less than that as well.

I also want to thank Premier Andrews for his prompt action in moving towards banning the Nazi salute in Victoria, and I hope other key states consider this reform as well. I say to any member of this House or the Senate who may be thinking of attending one of these rallies: think of the company that you will be keeping. Think of the message that this sends following the actions of this weekend.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the Victorian Liberal leader, John Pesutto, for moving to expel a member of his own team who attended, supported and promoted the Melbourne rally. Australia must be better than the ugly scenes we saw in one of the proudest houses of democracy in our nation. Bigotry, hatred, discrimination and vilification have no place in our diverse multicultural society.