Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I wish to make a short comment on workplace safety in this chamber and the fact that I've endured racism since I started my role as a senator for Victoria. There have been numerous comments coming from numerous people, but obviously there is one who refuses to stop the racism that is entrenched in that person's being. I need to do my job as a senator for Victoria. I am a woman. I am a mother. I am a grandmother. I am a sister, aunty, cousin—you name it. A lot of people are watching this place and they are seeing their parliament divided through racism. If we are going to represent the people in this country at the highest level, then we also have to ensure that racism isn't part of this chamber's business and we all have to call that out. It is a responsibility of everybody. So, please, can we leave racism out the door? I'm happy to talk to people if they want, even—what's her name? I just can't, because racism is an illness and it makes people sick. My child just started year 7 last year and she experienced her first bit of racism. My five-year-old granddaughter is experiencing her first bit of racism. When are we going to unite this country and stamp out not just systemic racism but the racist comments that certain people are making in my workplace? This is a workplace, and I have a right to feel safe in my workplace.