Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Hansard source

We on this side understand that the rising cost of living is hitting a lot of Australians hard, and that inflation is the defining economic challenge in 2023, as it was in 2022. Australians understand that we didn't create these challenges, but they elected us to take responsibility for addressing them. Australians are dealing with the repercussions of almost a decade of the Liberal-National coalition's inaction on modernising the energy grid and on building strong relationships and facilitating our community so that everyone is welcome and their individual characteristics and skills are accepted and appreciated.

We know that people are able to fully engage in society and the workforce when they can fearlessly be their authentic self. A study conducted by BetterUp found that, when people are able to show up authentically at work, the workplace experiences 54 per cent lower turnover and a 50 per cent increase in team performance, all of which supports an increase in productivity. That's why the actions of some hate-filled individuals outside this building today and outside parliaments across the country throughout the week, including in my home town of Hobart, must be called out. This hate has been countered by love, acceptance and community.

I'm proud to say that the views of the person fuelling this hate are not supported by the majority of Australians—the government certainly does not support them. This government stands with trans and non-binary folk. This government believes equality is a core business. Unfortunately, some senators in this place have given oxygen to someone so damaging.

The facts are so clear: 63.8 per cent of young people who identify as LGBTQI+ have been diagnosed with mental health conditions. Compared to the general population, trans and gender-diverse young people are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with depression. Even more distressingly, transgender young people are 15 times more likely to attempt suicide, compared to the general population.

While there may be a handful of people trying to divide us, choosing to hate, choosing to discriminate and choosing to spread mistruths, there are many more standing in solidarity with trans and non-binary people. How can we tackle some of the most corrosive issues influencing the cost-of-living crisis if people cannot be their authentic selves in society because the risk of doing so is just too great? To increase productivity, workers must feel safe, supported and valued at work, no matter who they are and who they love.

Trans people have a right to live in safety and thrive. Just like everyone else, trans people should be treated with dignity and respect at every single stage of their lives. No-one should ever have to experience such an invasion of their right to exist. I want to make clear to our strong trans and non-binary community: you are welcome here and you are celebrated here. Our message to the LGBTQI+ community is simple: no matter who you are or who you love you should be valued, equal and celebrated.

I also give a shout-out and congratulate the people in my home state of Tasmania and in my home town of Hobart for turning up and supporting our trans and non-binary people. I wish I could have been there with them, but, unfortunately, we were sitting. I hope that the person fuelling this hate understands that Australians do not stand with her.