Community safety—Extremism
450. Mr Rhys Williams to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to fostering safe and inclusive environments for all Western Australians.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house what steps are being taken to prevent hate crimes and violent extremism in our community?
(2) Is the minister aware of any opposing views or comments that may divide our community?
Mr Reece Whitby replied:
(1)–(2) I thank the member for Mandurah for the question and his obvious engagement in a range of communities in Western Australia to promote inclusivity and cooperation within our society. Building safe and inclusive communities is a key priority of the Cook Labor government. We all want Western Australians to feel secure at home, at work and in the community. This is critical. In recent months we have been reminded of the dangers of extremism, with high profile Neo-Nazi behaviour across the country. That is very disturbing and anxiety creating for people in our community, and for certain community groups especially. I want to make it clear that racism and hatred have no place in Western Australia. They attack our very values of respect, inclusion and tolerance. They attack our values as Australians and Western Australians.
Our government is supporting the WA police to take a strong and coordinated approach to prevent hate crimes and combat violent extremism. Earlier this year, our government's new laws came into effect banning the display of Nazi symbols and gestures in Western Australia. I would like to acknowledge the role of our current Attorney General and also our former Attorney General and former Minister for Police in progressing these very important changes and protections. I know that both Attorneys General and the police have played a critical role in reassuring certain members of our community that they have the protection of our state and its security officers, in terms of WA police. As I said, this important work is being supported by the WA Police Force, which has established a dedicated hate crime team—one of the first such teams in the country, in fact. Full-time investigators and online operatives focus on investigating and countering hate-motivated incidents. These cowardly acts will not be tolerated and offenders will face the full force of the law. I want Western Australians to know that the Cook Labor government stands with them regardless of who they are, what community they are part of or what background they have; we are standing behind you.
The member asked whether I was aware of any opposing views that may divide the community, and I will now get to that point. I guess this goes to the very role we have in this chamber, and how important it is for us to demonstrate with clarity where we stand on these issues. Last week, after the Parliament rose, a Liberal Party fundraiser was held at the Willetton Indian Community Centre featuring Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Members will be well aware of the senator's comments about the Indian community—comments that this government has condemned in the strongest possible way. They were comments that even the federal Leader of the Liberal Party has condemned. Not only has the federal Leader of the Liberal Party condemned those comments, but she also saw fit to sack the senator from the front bench and has also seen fit to apologise to the community on the senator's behalf. We now come to the observation of what our Leader of the Opposition had to say on this matter. Has our opposition leader taken the same strong approach as the federal opposition leader? I want to just quote what the Leader of the Opposition in this place had to say on social media about this matter:
I think saying sorry is the appropriate thing to do and it is what I would do if I was in that position.
That was not exactly resounding condemnation, not exactly resounding clarity and not exactly unequivocal language! It was not exactly the condemnation that we saw from the federal leader. The Leader of the Opposition allowed this fundraiser, held in an Indian community centre, to take place. It was organised by one of his MPs, Hon Michelle Hofmann. Not only that, but also one of the members of his shadow cabinet, Hon Nick Goiran, was actually a guest of honour at this event.
Ms Amber-Jade Sanderson: He's a leader.
Mr Reece Whitby: He is a leader in your party. We know how much he leads! The question is: When will the Leader of the Opposition utterly reject the senator's comments and do as his federal leader has done—that is right: put your jaw forward and nod knowingly—and apologise for what the senator has done and, indeed, for holding that fundraiser with that senator?
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Mr Reece Whitby: We know that Senator Nampijinpa Price has not yet apologised, and who knows whether she ever will. The question is: Will the Leader of the Opposition apologise?
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Reece Whitby: Members opposite can make those comments and can joke, carry on and nod in an overly serious way, but these are real issues in the community. If you are in the Indian community, these are issues of concern. If you are in the Jewish community, these are issues of concern.
Mr Basil Zempilas: What about the Greek community?
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr Reece Whitby: What on earth are you talking about?
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Several members interjected.
The Speaker: Minister, sit down. Members of the opposition!
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition! Minister, have you concluded?
Mr Reece Whitby: I will, Speaker. It was an odd response—very odd. As the self-appointed Messiah of the Liberal Party, do you have it in your power to apologise? Do you even have the courage to apologise?
The Speaker: Thank you, minister. The member for Nedlands with the last question.
