Mark Dreyfus
Isaacs · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“In 1943, Enid Lyons became the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. In the same election, Dorothy Tangney became the first woman elected to the Senate, representing Western Australia. We've come a long way since then.”
“That legislation was a significant step in fulfilling Labor's commitment to implementing all of the recommendations of the landmark Respect@Work report completed by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins and the Human Rights Commission in 2020.”
“I rise to speak about half of our community: the women of Australia. For generations, women have helped build Australia's democracy, prosperity and social progress. The Australian Commonwealth and state parliaments were among the first in the world to give women the right to vote.”
“Yet, across the generations, there have been thousands of Australian women whose contributions are no less important even if their names do not appear in the history books and their work is not recognised in public life. Today I acknowledge those women.”
“These reforms recognise that the law must respond to this form of harm. That work formed part of our wider effort to make the law more responsive to women's experiences and their calls for safety, dignity and justice. This approach guided our reforms to the Family Law Act and guided our work on justice responses to sexual violence.”
“In 2024, through our National Access to Justice Partnership, the Albanese Labor government significantly increased funding for women's legal services.”
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“These reforms recognise that the law must respond to this form of harm. That work formed part of our wider effort to make the law more responsive to women's experiences and their calls for safety, dignity and justice. This approach guided our reforms to the Family Law Act and guided our work on justice responses to sexual violence. Too many victims and survivors of sexual violence have said that the justice system is difficult, confronting and traumatic. Their experiences guided the inquiry our government referred to the Australian Law Reform Commission into justice responses to sexual violence. The commission's report, Safe, informed, supported , helped shape the Albanese Labor government's $21.4 million response, including expanded specialist trauma informed legal services for victims and survivors.”
“In 2024, through our National Access to Justice Partnership, the Albanese Labor government significantly increased funding for women's legal services. That funding recognised what women's legal services had made clear for many years: too many women were being asked to navigate questions of safety, family, housing and financial security without the legal support they need. The same concern for justice and safety led to the much-needed privacy reforms that I introduced in 2024. The Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 created new offences for doxxing, which is the malicious publication or distribution of personal information in a way that exposes people to harassment or harm. When personal information is maliciously revealed, the consequences for women can be serious and dangerous.”
“That legislation was a significant step in fulfilling Labor's commitment to implementing all of the recommendations of the landmark Respect@Work report completed by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins and the Human Rights Commission in 2020. The Morrison government failed to implement all of the Respect@Work report, but the Albanese government acted. All 55 recommendations have now been put into effect. The 2022 act introduced a positive duty to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 requiring employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment, as far as possible. But, of course, changing the law is only part of the task. Justice also depends on the strength of the services women turn to when their safety, housing, family and financial security are at risk.”
“Yet, across the generations, there have been thousands of Australian women whose contributions are no less important even if their names do not appear in the history books and their work is not recognised in public life. Today I acknowledge those women. Their contributions deserve our respect, our gratitude and our continued commitment to equality. That's the work that Labor has taken on. We've delivered historic reforms to improve women's safety, economic security, health care and representation. As Attorney-General, I saw that justice, safety and economic security cannot be separated. This understanding is reflected in the Albanese Labor government's reforms for women across the law, policy and services. An example is the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022.”
“In 1943, Enid Lyons became the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. In the same election, Dorothy Tangney became the first woman elected to the Senate, representing Western Australia. We've come a long way since then. I'm proud to be a member of a federal parliamentary Labor Party which is more than half women and to have served in a Labor cabinet that was half women. Women in parliament improve the way the nation is governed, and they make this parliament a true reflection of the country that it serves. Law and policymaking are strengthened when they take their direction from the lives of the people they affect and the real difficulties they face. Women in parliament change the questions that are asked. They widen understanding, lead to better decisions and make our democracy more accountable and representative.”
“I rise to speak about half of our community: the women of Australia. For generations, women have helped build Australia's democracy, prosperity and social progress. The Australian Commonwealth and state parliaments were among the first in the world to give women the right to vote. South Australia was first, in 1894; the Commonwealth parliament followed in 1902, and Victoria got there in 1908. It took until 1921 for the first woman to be elected to an Australian parliament, when Edith Cowan was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. On entering parliament, Edith said: I know many people think perhaps that it was not the wisest thing to do to send a woman into Parliament … That view was wrong then and it's wrong now. It took another two decades for women to be elected to the Commonwealth parliament.”
“Young Australians should understand the institutions that serve them, the rights and responsibilities they hold and the role that they can play in their communities and in our national life.”
“They show that democracy is not something distant or separate from their lives. It's something they are part of and help shape. The students I've met have given me immense confidence in the future of our democracy. Their engagement shows that young Australians are ready to participate when given the opportunity. We should not underestimate the importance of early engagement. A question asked in a primary school classroom today can be the first step towards a lifelong interest in community, leadership or public service. I firmly believe that civics education matters immensely to the strength of our democracy. Civics, how our democracy works, should be taught in every Australian school.”
“It helps young Australians understand participation, accountability, respect for the rule of law and engagement in public life. It also helps young people make sense of the world around them. Digital technology and social media mean young people are able to see more information than ever before. But not all of it is reliable. Learning how to think critically, check information and engage respectfully is essential. It's also about ensuring that young people see themselves as part of Australia's democratic story. When parliament feels real and accessible, students are more likely to remain engaged in civic life as adults. Visits to Dingley Primary School and to St Brigid's Primary School help bring parliament closer to the community. For many students, those experiences can stay with them.”
“I asked the students one of the most contentious questions in public life, 'Should we put pineapple on pizza?' The room divided on this question with laughter, raised eyebrows and the expressions of students who could not believe that their classmates had such bad taste, on both sides. While pineapple on pizza can produce very strong opinions, democracy took its course, and I can report, to my astonishment, that the 'no' vote prevailed at both schools. Apparently, pineapple on pizza is a stretch too far! These experiences reinforce the importance of civics education in and beyond the classroom. It's one thing to learn about parliament in theory. It's another to see its processes and symbols come to life. Civics education teaches students how laws are made, how parliament works and why democracy matters.”
“Democracy relies on trust, participation and understanding. People need to know how to vote, why their vote matters and how decisions are made on their behalf. That's why getting young people involved is so important. At both Dingley Primary School and St Brigid's Primary School, I opened the floor to questions. In what has now become something of a tradition when I visit schools in Melbourne, the first question was the most important one, which was: 'Which AFL team do you support?' As a long-suffering Saints supporter, I gave them an honest answer, and, of course, I was immediately heckled! We also put democracy to the test, with a vote and a division to show how parliament works.”
“Visits like this bring our parliament a little closer to the classroom, giving students a chance to understand the symbols, history and meaning of our democracy. The mace and the flag are more than ceremonial objects. They're reminders of the institutions and traditions that allow our democracy to function. These visits remind us of something important about Australia and our democracy. We're fortunate to live in a country where disagreement is resolved through debate, elections, laws and parliament, not through conflict or intimidation. When Australians want change, they can vote, speak up, campaign and take their case to their elected representatives. That is not something we should ever take for granted. It's something that young Australians should learn, value and carry forward.”
“It was about not only a national symbol but also cooperation and shared responsibility. It gave students a real connection to parliament and the institutions that belong to all Australians. I also recently visited St Brigid's Primary School in Mordialloc to speak with grade 5 and 6 students about civics and citizenship. We discussed how parliament works, how laws are made and why democratic participation matters. On that visit, I brought a replica of the parliamentary mace. The students were fascinated by its design and history and by the role that it plays in the traditions of the House of Representatives. For many students, it was the first time they'd seen such a direct link to the traditions of parliament.”
“This was the first time that the Speaker of the House of Representatives had visited south-east Melbourne in 125 years, making it a significant occasion for the school and the local community. What stood out most was the energy in the room. The students were curious, thoughtful and full of questions. They wanted to know how laws are made, how parliament works and what members of parliament can do for their communities. A highlight of the visit was helping the students to unfurl one of the Australian flags that's flown from the 81-metre flagpole above this parliament. More than 100 students joined in, which sounds like a lot until you see a flag measuring 12.8 metres by 6.4 metres unfurled. Watching the students work together in that moment was powerful to me.”
“I rise today to speak about the importance of civics education and why it's important to make sure that young Australians understand how our democracy works and why it matters. Our democratic system is often taken for granted. It's stable, familiar and deeply embedded in our national life. But that stability depends on each generation developing an understanding of how our system functions and the responsibilities that come with it. Recently I had the opportunity to visit Dingley Primary School in my electorate of Isaacs along with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, as part of the Speaker's Parliament in Schools program and the Australian Parliament House National Flag Roadshow.”
“We're a nation of champion swimmers, and I am certain a future star will be born at the Mordi Aquatic Centre. Construction is now well underway, and I know that the community is excited to see the doors open. I've been there on multiple occasions with the mayor and councillors to check progress during the course of construction. It is going very well. I'm looking forward to doing my first laps in the new 50-metre pool. I thank the City of Kingston, community members, local sporting groups and everyone involved in bringing this important project to life.”
“It reflects the strong local identity and the pride that people have in Mordialloc and the surrounding area. The Mordi Aquatic Centre includes a 50-metre lap pool, a learn to swim pool, warm water exercise pool, gym and fitness facilities and so much more. It has been designed with accessibility at its core, including parking, change facilities, ramps, hoist access and rehabilitation spaces to ensure that the centre can be enjoyed by the whole community. The Mordi Aquatic Centre is jointly funded by the City of Kingston and the Australian government, and is an investment in, and for, the community that brings with it tremendous benefit. Local pools are places where families meet, children learn to swim, seniors stay active and local sporting clubs train. They are also places where Australian Olympians are made.”
“I rise today to acknowledge the significant progress being made on the new aquatic centre in Mordialloc, in my electorate of Isaacs. The pool is a major investment in our local community. I'm proud to say it is also one of the largest community infrastructure projects being undertaken by the City of Kingston. When the doors open, it will provide exceptional modern and accessible aquatic and leisure facilities for everyone in our community. I want to emphasise the community contributions that have helped shape the design of the Mordi Aquatic Centre from the beginning of the project. More than 10,600 community submissions were received and, along with the work of the community reference group, have helped to guide the design and the planning process. The name Mordi Aquatic Centre was chosen by the community, with almost 4,000 votes cast.”
“We are a better country when we refuse to let that in. That is the task before us. It's the same task Australians have always taken on—to look out for one another, to show up for one another and to build a country where everyone has a fair go and feels that they belong. House adjourned at 20:00”
“They benefit immensely from the hard work and sacrifice of earlier generations, many of whom came to Australia from other parts of the world and built the institutions, services and communities they now seek to weaken. Dividing Australians is not leadership; it is a failure of leadership, and a failure of decency and respect. We must not give up on shaping something steadier and better than that. We can do this by the way we treat one another, by the care we show in our words and by refusing to let hatred set Australians against Australians. Hatred always does the same thing; it asks us to see less in one another, less humanity, less generosity and less kindness. It asks us to look at our neighbours, at kids in schools, at families in the park, even at those of us in this place, and see only difference.”
“We live in a world in which events far beyond our shores reach into our communities and are often deeply felt by many Australians. I've seen how this can make every disagreement appear absolute, every difference of opinion irreconcilable and judgement give way to reaction rather than reason. We must not let emotionally charged and often hate fuelled online content shape the way we see one another or the kind of community we become. Too often we see fear turned into politics, difference turned into suspicion and prejudice turned into a strategy, yet there is something deeply unconvincing about this kind of politics. Those who advance division and hate depend on the very institutions and services—the hospitals, the schools, the social safety net—that Australians have built together.”
“Australia is an inclusive nation built on trust, integrity and fairness. We are the land of the fair go. That work of building our nation is never finished. That work of building our nation has strengthened our national life and made us more open to the world, more capable and confident as a nation and more generous towards one another. A maturing nation does not ask its citizens to be the same; it asks for something better. A maturing nation asks that we understand that, however different our backgrounds, our faiths, our memories or our political opinions, we belong to the same country—a country shaped by many histories and traditions, and strengthened by its diversity. From that sense of common purpose comes a commitment to the national good. I say all this because I've seen what happens when these things are tested.”
“It's the story of democratic institutions patiently built and renewed, of which we are rightly proud. It's the story of people who came here from around the world and built a life together. Our story is not one of sameness. For all our differences and all that remains unfinished, there is something enduring in the Australian character. We are a people who value the freedom to live without fear or intimidation. We are a people who know that freedom is built over time, and it depends on institutions and laws that protect it. And we are a people who believe that respect is the foundation of the country we want to be. In a nation shaped by many histories, those principles are particularly important. Too often, diversity is spoken of as though it weakens our national unity and values. It does not.”
“Australia is a remarkable country, and I've seen that in the community that I represent. I've stood in school halls, classrooms and community celebrations across my electorate of Isaacs and watched children and families from many different countries call Australia home and mean it. Across our vast continent, first cared for by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we've built a nation shaped by care, respect, a fair go and shared values. Our history is far older and deeper than the Commonwealth itself, and our national life has been enriched by people drawn from every part of the world. To understand Australia, we must understand how our history has shaped our national story. It's the story of an ancient continent, home to the oldest continuous living culture in the world.”
“What we don't see is the danger and devastation first responders walk into: unimaginable bushfires, floodwaters carving through homes, roads and properties, and destructive winds tearing down trees, powerlines and buildings. I extend my sincere thanks to all first responders in my electorate of Isaacs and across Australia. I've seen their professionalism and the readiness that sits behind every call-out. Your service—the service of all first responders—protects lives and property and is deeply valued by the communities that you serve.”
“Behind each of these events and many others are the people who leave home at short notice not knowing what they will find when they arrive. It means long hours, clear judgement under pressure and a strong sense of duty to the community. For many it begins with a call that comes without warning while they're at work or with their families or in the middle of the night. Often they do not know whether they will be gone for an hour, most of the night or days. They arrive when the rest of us are trying to leave or calling for help when we need it the most. They carry the weight of responsibility before they even step out. Most of the time we only see the end results: roads reopened, houses protected and families moved to safety.”
“I rise today to acknowledge the selfless work of first responders in my electorate of Isaacs. Our community relies on Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria and the volunteers of the Country Fire Authority and the Victoria State Emergency Service. I'd like to acknowledge their tireless work that protects lives and property through coordinated responses, including firefighting, rescue operations, medical care, evacuation support, traffic management, and protecting homes and local infrastructure. We saw that work during the flash flooding along the Great Ocean Road earlier this year and the floods in Mildura and surrounding areas. We saw it again during the recent heatwave and major bushfires across Victoria.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. After the tragic events of the violent, antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last month, how is the Albanese government working to combat antisemitism, extremism and hate, and to keep all Australians safe?”
“An attack like this hurts all of us. In Jewish tradition there's a prayer said by mourners. It's a prayer about life, dignity and the hope for peace at times of profound loss. I will close with the Mourners' Kaddish, in memory of those we've lost, and I invite all present to rise: Yitgadal veyitkadash shemeh raba, be-alma divera chiruteh veyamlich malchuteh bechayechon uveyomechon uvechayey dechol beit Yisrael, ba-agala uvizman kariv, ve-imru: Amen. Yehe shemeh raba mevarach , le- alam ule -alme almaya . Yitbarach, veyishtabach, veyitpa-ar, veyitromam, veyitnase, veyit-hadar veyitaleh veyit-halal shemeh dekudesha, berich hu, le-ela min kol birchata veshirata, tushbechata veneche-mata, da-amiran be-alma, ve-imru: Amen. Yehe shelama raba min shemaya vechayim aleinu ve-al kol Yisra-el, ve-imru: Amen.”
“For every person murdered there are families and friends left behind, a home left quieter, clothes still hanging in wardrobes, photos on walls that will never be updated, children asking when someone is coming home, a seat left empty at the dinner table, a laugh no longer heard, the longing for one more word—one moment, one more chance to say what was left unsaid. The pain of that absence does not pass quickly. They were parents, children, neighbours and friends. Their loss is not only an overwhelming private sorrow for families and loved ones but a wound felt across the nation. It's a reminder of how fragile our shared sense of peace and safety can be and how vital it is that we protect it together. There are some that seek to take that from us; we must not let them. You don't have to be Jewish to feel this in your chest.”
“It means ensuring that our public spaces remain open, inclusive and safe for all communities. I'm seeing Australians come together not only in grief but in determination—determination to reject hate and to act with unity and care, the values that unite us as a nation. I've spoken the names of those who were murdered. Each one was a life full of meaning—people who were loved, who contributed to their communities, who shaped the lives of those around them in quiet, lasting and meaningful ways.”
“Yet, even then, humanity's most selfless instincts of mutual care emerged, instincts that hold communities together in their most distressing moments. It was also an attack on the kind of country we strive to be: one that is fair, safe and inclusive. We must not, and we will not, allow those values to be diminished. Every Australian, regardless of their faith or background, deserves to live in safety, dignity and peace. I've spoken with members of my own community who were, like me, deeply shaken by this attack—parents unsure how to explain such violence to their children, people of all backgrounds struggling to make sense of such hate and to find the words to speak about it. Our response cannot be confined to grief. It must extend to what we choose to defend and how we defend it. That means upholding our laws against hate.”
“It occurred during a Hanukkah celebration attended by families, children and elders. It was a gathering that symbolised joy, tradition and community. It was shattered by hate. Fifteen people were murdered. Many more were wounded and traumatised, and lives were forever changed. Amid the horror, acts of extraordinary courage also emerged: bystanders shielding others from harm; emergency workers and police officers running towards danger, strangers helping strangers; and Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian Australian father of two, who disarmed one of the attackers, preventing further loss of life. In minutes, a targeted atrocity against Jewish Australians turned a celebration of light into a moment of darkness.”
“I too begin by speaking the names of the 15 people who were murdered at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025: Rabbi Eli Schlanger; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan; Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor; Peter Meagher; Boris and Sofia Gurman; Edith Brutman; Dan Elkayam; Reuven Morrison; Marika Pogany; Adam Smyth; Boris Tetleroyd; Tania Tretiak; Tibor Weitzen; and Matilda, aged 10. There are moments in our nation's history that confront us with unimaginable horror and grief; that leave us searching for words; that leave us struggling to comprehend the scale of what has been lost; that compel us to reflect, to remember and to act; and that test not only our laws and our institutions but also the quite assumptions of safety, decency and mutual care that distinguish Australia's values. The attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 was such a moment.”
“It's encouraging to see students engaging so thoughtfully with national issues and with the work of this parliament. I again congratulate Olivia on this well-deserved achievement.”
“These are parents, children, friends, colleagues, and our fellow Australians. Real people hoping for a second chance at life. While 4 out of 5 of us support organ donation, only 36% are registered to donate. Worse still, new registrations dropped by almost 5,400 in 2024. There are no strangers in this country, only mates who we haven't met yet, and some of them are in desperate need of help. One minute. That's all it takes to register and give someone a second chance at life. Olivia's speech ends with a resounding call to action. I thank Olivia for her contribution to this competition and the maturity and care she has shown in raising such an important issue. Her speech is a reminder of the strength and compassion we see in young people across our country.”
“She wrote and she spoke this: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise today on the occasion of my first speech to talk about an issue that is close to my heart—organ donation. Specifically, the need to encourage more Aussies to take just one minute to register as a donor. I know first hand the impact of organ donation, and the incredible joy and comfort it can provide families. My Dad became my hero not just in life, but also in death, by donating his organs and saving the lives of 3 people. My Aunty is a living donor, who selflessly donated a kidney to my grandfather, giving us an extra 5 years with him. These are just a few of the stories from over 7000 organ donors across the country. Still, we can't forget that over 2000 Australians are still waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.”
“It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate Olivia Carroll, who is with us in the chamber, on being awarded the winner of Australia's 2025 My First Speech Competition in the year 11 category. This national competition invites senior secondary students in years 10, 11 and 12 to imagine themselves as newly elected members of parliament as they deliver a short speech on an issue they care deeply about. It helps young Australians engage with our democratic process. Olivia is a constituent in my electorate of Isaacs, and I'm exceptionally proud of her achievement. She attends Kilbreda College in Mentone. I know that her school, her friends, her mum, Gail, and her late father, Paul, would all be very proud of her. I will now read Olivia's speech, which reflects the thoughtfulness, care and conviction she brought to this competition.”
“We're rebuilding the primary health system that was left idling in cuts and neglect for nearly a decade by the previous Liberal-National government. These reforms mean more people can see a doctor without worrying about cost. More parents can take their sick children to an urgent care clinic and get the treatment they need close to home. More women can access the specialised health support they deserve, with 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics opening across Australia. That is what Medicare looks like when a government believes in it and strengthens it instead of trying to ruin it. We should never forget how hard fought this achievement was. Medicare exists because Labor built it, and it thrives today because our Labor government understands that health care is not a privilege; it is a right.”
“It does all of this because Labor governments had the courage to build it for the Australian people and the determination to protect it. Today, under the Albanese Labor government, we are strengthening Medicare once again. We've delivered the largest increase to the bulk-billing incentive since Medicare was established. We've opened urgent care clinics across the country so that families can access the immediate care they need, fully bulk-billed, without sitting for hours in emergency waiting rooms. One of the busiest of these clinics is in Dandenong South in my electorate of Isaacs, and other clinics serve the community every day in Frankston, Narre Warren and other locations. By mid next year there will be 137 urgent care clinics across Australia. We're investing in new women's health initiatives, including expanded endometriosis care.”
“I'm reminded that every coalition member of parliament since has relied on Medicare, despite their repeated efforts to dismantle it. Medicare is one of the clearest demonstrations of our national values and is one of the most remarkable public health policy achievements in the world. Other countries study it and experts praise it. It delivers universal care that is the envy of many countries. It rejects the model that ties health to income, and replaces it with a universal commitment that recognises that a fair society safeguards the health of all Australians as a matter of principle, not privilege. It gives every Australian the right to see a doctor, the right to receive treatment and the right to live with dignity and security.”
“But an opt-out system like that only works for those who can afford it, and that is where the real problem begins. We end up with a healthcare system where your level of care depends on your ability to pay, which reflects the private insurance model, not the principle of universal access. That is the reality of a market run system; its priority is profit. Under that model, those who can pay are prioritised and everyone else is pushed to the margins, trading away the principle that universal access to health care belongs to every Australian. It tells you more about their attitude to ordinary Australians than they would ever dare say out loud. The Liberal and National parties never wanted the universal principle of Medicare.”
“When Labor first introduced Medibank under Gough Whitlam, the Liberal and National parties fought it every step of the way. They refused to pass the Medibank legislation twice in the Senate, triggering the 1974 double-dissolution election. They opposed the historic joint sitting of parliament in August 1974 that finally passed the bills, and, when they returned to government after Whitlam's dismissal in late 1975, they moved quickly to dismantle Medibank and wind back its universal coverage. Then in 1984, when Labor created Medicare, the coalition opposed it all over again. They opposed the principle of universal health care, favouring models based on private payment and private insurance. Their policy on health paper at the time recommended letting people opt out of Medicare altogether if they bought private health insurance.”
“I rise today to talk about something that sits at the heart of our identity as a nation; something that speaks to our values of fairness, decency and care for one another; something that millions of Australians depend on every single day—that is, Medicare. It is difficult to imagine Australia without it. Even more difficult to imagine is that, before Labor's reforms in the 1970s, the size of your bank balance determined whether you could visit a doctor, get treatment or simply look after your health. Yet that was the system Labor inherited from the Liberal Party—a health system where private insurance decided who received care and who went without and a system that left many Australians on the wrong side of the waiting-room door, shut out from the care they desperately needed.”
“I have conveyed those concerns, including the need to pursue all available humanitarian and diplomatic channels to help protect civilians and uphold human rights. Australia is a stronger nation because of the contribution of our multicultural communities. As the federal member for Isaacs, I will continue to ensure that the voices of the Druze community are heard, their concerns respected and their calls for peace and safety acknowledged.”
“Nations are shaped by different histories, but the obligation to prevent conflict and protect life is shared by all nations. It's not a task completed quickly or easily; it requires discipline and a willingness to listen, to stay engaged and to work through difficult moments. This is the foundation of international humanitarian law. It's how peace is built and how peace is sustained. Too often persecution, displacement and war have come at an immense human cost, with civilians and minority groups enduring the greatest suffering. The wilful harm of others is never an inevitable consequence of difference. I know that many members of the Druze community have raised their concerns with the government.”
“I want to acknowledge the very real concern and grief that members of the Druze community are feeling for the safety of their loved ones overseas. The Australian government has expressed its concern about the ongoing conflict in Syria and the need to protect civilians. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have issued a statement condemning the violence in Syria and calling for restraint from all parties. That statement reaffirmed Australia's support for a political resolution that upholds human rights and respects the dignity of all communities, including the Druze. Australia's longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection, religious freedom and peaceful coexistence applies to all people. This includes the right of minority communities to live free from violence, persecution and discrimination.”
“As the federal member for Isaacs, I acknowledge the significant contribution that the Druze community makes to both my electorate and Australia more broadly. Isaacs is home to a large Druze community. Over the years, I've met many of them who have built their lives here over generations and who continue to contribute meaningfully to our civic, cultural and economic life. Since my election in 2007, I've developed strong relationships with members of the Druze community. I hold them in the highest regard and value the trust and friendship that many have extended to me. Recent events in Syria have caused great distress to the Druze community. Reports of targeted violence in Sweida and Jaramana have affected families with deep ties to those areas.”
“I hope for peace, but it will not come easily. The Prime Minister has reminded us today that the world must never forget the atrocities that were inflicted by Hamas. He called on us to think of those still held hostage and to join with other countries to call for the hostages to be returned immediately. The Prime Minister is right. We must not forget, and we continue to hope for a just and lasting peace.”
“We criminalised the possession and dissemination of violent extremist material designed to incite violence and spread fear in the community. We've committed over $78 million to improve safety and security at Australian Jewish community sites. We wish this were not needed, but right now it is. We appointed Jillian Segal as Australia's first special envoy to combat antisemitism. We established the National Student Ombudsman to ensure complaints of antisemitism from students are addressed swiftly and decisively. We set up a parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism on university campuses, chaired by the member for Macnamara, Josh Burns, which produced a timely and comprehensive report. As Attorney-General, I asked state and territory attorneys-general to work together to establish a national hate crimes and incidents database.”