CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms JARRETT (Brisbane) (10:02): Australia is one of the most successful multicultural democracies in the world. We are a country that's made stronger by people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths. That is nowhere more evident than in the electorate of Brisbane, where communities continue to inspire through their determination and optimism.

Now, while we might not always agree on everything, we should be united by one principle: every Australian deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to be themselves and build a good life. That's why the divisive politics that we increasingly hear from One Nation deserves to be called out. There will always be legitimate debates about the challenges we face, but there is a fundamental difference between debates and turning Australians against one another.

Too often, One Nation's approach relies on finding someone to blame. Migrants, minorities, people from different faiths are presented as the cause of the problem. Recently, Senator Hanson said, 'People should keep their sexuality behind closed doors,' when criticising Sydney's Mardi Gras.

Brisbane is home to a vibrant and diverse LGBTIQA+ community and I say to them: be out, be proud and celebrate who you are. Since 1996— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 10:04 to 10:18 Ms JARRETT: Since 1996 and up to the present day, Pauline Hanson and One Nation have demonised multicultural communities in a pathetic attempt to sow discord and pit individuals against one another.

As the local member for Brisbane, I have seen firsthand a very different approach. For example, our local Lutwyche Muslim community opens its doors through community barbecues to those who may not follow their faith but who share their values. One Nation's outrage might generate headlines, it might generate anger and it might even generate votes.

But it doesn't build homes, it doesn't lower power bills and it doesn't create secure, well-paid jobs. And it certainly doesn't deliver accessible and affordable health care, like our Kelvin Grove urgent care clinic or the Lutwyche Medicare mental health centre. Division is easy.

Governing is harder. When people in my community of Brisbane struggle with mortgages, are worried about housing affordability and are concerned about the future of their jobs and communities, they need solutions, not scapegoats. So Labor offers a fundamentally different vision.

Leadership means confronting challenges without exploiting fear or resentment, it means disagreeing without demonising people and it means recognising that the words political leaders use matter. They resonate beyond parliament to our clubs, pubs and workplaces. Responsible leaders should offer hope and a pathway forward, not search for someone to blame.

Democracy does require disagreement, but there is a big difference between disagreement and division, and there is a difference between leadership based on hope and politics based on fear. Labor chooses hope. Australia should reject the politics of blame and remember a very simple truth: unity is stronger than division.

My community of Brisbane is a testament to that.