Ms O’CONNOR question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Yesterday outside this place, love and inclusion resoundingly defeated hate and exclusion. The counter-protest to fake feminist hate preacher Kellie Jay Keen, amid support of the rainbow community, was one of the most powerful events I have seen in my time in politics. Had you attended, you would have seen the LGBTI+ community and trans defenders outnumber by about 50 to one Kellie-Jay Keen supporters. You would also have witnessed the assault of a young woman on our parliament steps – the doorstep of our democracy – being struck and shoved repeatedly by one of the turfs. It has been captured on video.
Yesterday, you restated your commitment to the LGBTI+ community and called yourself an ally, yet you did not stand with the rainbow community yesterday on the lawns or parliament steps. Will you today ask your Police minister to have this clear assault of a peaceful protester and trans ally fully investigated?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am aware of some of the circumstances of yesterday’s rally. I will never condone and will always condemn any assault or attack in the strongest possible terms.
Yesterday was an example of an expression of democracy and people exercising their rights to freedom of speech. You have asked me to effectively intervene and I am unable to do that.
Ms O’Connor – I have asked you to ask the Police minister to investigate.
Mr SPEAKER – Order, Ms O’Connor.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It is an operational matter for the police. I am sure the police service will take great interest in some of the matters of yesterday and will act accordingly.
