Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is the national day of protest rights. I want to give a shout-out to the staunch protesters on the front lines fighting to protect us from the abuse of the state. Protest is a fundamental and necessary part of a functioning democracy. Without the ability to criticise the actions of governments and hold them accountable, societies stagnate and are at risk of human rights violations. Arresting protesters is an attempt to conceal the truth. Change has not come from silence. Protest gives a platform to those who go unheard. It's being used around the world, throughout history, for fighting for what is right, resisting when those in power fail to listen.

Resistance movements on this land have existed since invasion and the frontier wars, from Wurundjeri elders at Coranderrk to the first Day of Mourning to the Wave Hill Walk-Off to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the longest continuous protest for First Peoples' rights in the world. All across this land, people are still protesting to protect country. This is something that affects everybody. History tells a different tale of those who protest to protect what is right. Governments always want to paint themselves as being on the right side of history, even when they opposed change at the time. It's not too late. You can listen to the hundreds of thousands of people peacefully protesting right now to stand up for human rights and the rights of country. Free Palestine, and no pride in genocide.