Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (10:43): I entered this place 18 months ago to prosecute ideas and call out bad policy in the interests of my constituents and better governance for the entire state. No amount of threats and intimidation from any individual or group to my person, my office and particularly my staff will stop me from pursuing these objectives. On Tuesday night I questioned the conflict in the Wage Theft Bill 2020 between privacy and unions. It was no surprise that a threat was received by my office yesterday. Today in this place I will raise more serious questions about the close links between law firms and contentious justice legislation. Can I look forward to more threats, or am I entitled to raise issues without fear or favour in this forum of free speech and democracy? I will not tolerate any vested interests threatening my office in their endeavours to silence me. Let me say this: it only strengthens my resolve to stand up, as is my right in this place, and call out injustice to individuals along with dangerous legislation.

The PRESIDENT: Mrs McArthur, I might get the head of security to come and have a chat to you today about that members statement.