A high-profile conference was held at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday, November 15, bringing together key community and multicultural leaders to address concerns around social cohesion and the need for stronger anti-vilification laws in Victoria.
The event was organised in light of recent protests by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who disrupted the unveiling of the Myer Christmas windows, sparking widespread criticism for targeting a family-friendly tradition.
Representing the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, President Bill Papastergiadis OAM was an active participant in discussions with Premier Jacinta Allan and other community leaders prior to the Town Hall conference.
Mr Papastergiadis joined an influential group of attendees, including Jasbir Singh Suropada from the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria, Sheikh Muhammad Nawass from the Board of Imams, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann from the Ark Centre, Makarand Bhagwat from the Hindu Council of Australia, Hass Dellal from the Australian Multicultural Foundation, Bihong Wang from the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse, and Pritam Singh Gill and Ravi Inder Singh from the Gurduara Council of Victoria.
During the discussions at the Premier’s office earlier in the day, Mr Papastergiadis shared his views on the relationship between freedom of speech and societal harmony. He highlighted there is no such thing as an absolute right to freedom of speech, emphasising that existing laws already regulate speech in areas such as privacy, protection of minors, and defamation.
“There is no such thing as an absolute right to freedom of speech,” he stated. “Those that sought to use this expression to justify hateful language simply misunderstand the law. At present, there are a number of laws that impinge on freedom of speech, including laws relating to privacy, minors, and the law of defamation. Hence, our rights are regulated so as to ensure we have a functioning and respectful society.”
Following these discussions, the leaders accompanied the Premier to the conference at Melbourne Town Hall, where Premier Allan and Melbourne’s newly elected Lord Mayor Nick Reece addressed the audience.
Premier Allan condemned recent protests that disrupted public events.
“A small group of people disrupting a beautiful Christmas tradition for kids is not the Victoria I know,” she said.
Highlighting the state’s multicultural fabric, the Premier reiterated her commitment to protecting social harmony.
“The Victoria I know is a place where we come from 200 backgrounds, speak 200 languages, but we are one community – Victoria united,” she said.
The group of leaders, including Mr Papastergiadis, supported the Premier in her message to those attempting to sow division: “People have a right to demonstrate, but no one has a right to divide.”
Premier Allan also announced her government would be introducing legislation to strengthen Victoria’s anti-vilification laws in the upcoming parliamentary sitting week.
The Premier said the legislation is intended to enhance social cohesion and “wind back this culture of division and put an end to vilification and hate.”
“We’ve been working hard on those laws, and I can tell you now that we will introduce them to Parliament this month,” Ms. Allan said.
“I will not let the constant violence, division, and vilification we see overseas creep into Victoria.”
The conference and preceding discussions marked a critical moment in Victoria’s ongoing efforts to address vilification, with strong support from multicultural and community leaders like Mr Papastergiadis.
