Remembering the victims of Bourke Street
Politics was put aside as the Victorian Parliament mourned the tragic loss of innocent lives during the horrific events of the Bourke Street tragedy on 20 January 2017 including an emotional speech from David Southwick MP, Member for Caulfield.
David Southwick expressed immense sadness over the tragic death of 10-year-old Thalia Hakin. He describing the grief shared by all who attended her funeral, particularly the pain of Tony Hakin, Thalia’s father as he had to bury his daughter.
David Southwick
Southwick stated that Victorian bail laws had again failed the community and there must be immediate action by the Victorian Parliament to toughen the laws, anything less would be unacceptable. Moreover, that it is necessary that Members of Parliament and Victorians, alike, hold the Government to account to provide a stronger justice system, more police and put an end to the current crime crisis.
“If there is one job that we have in here, it is to make sure that people are safe, and we must do that,” Mr Southwick declared to the Parliament.
The Member for Caulfield expressed that State Parliament owes it to the victims, and to all members of the community who have suffered as a result of the Bourke Street tragedy, to protect the safety of Victorians.
“We are all here for the six people who lost their lives and all the Victorians that have suffered as a result of this,” he said.
“Today we mourn and we talk about the horrific events, but if we are not in here as quickly as we possibly can be to do something about it, then we are all wasting our time.”
Mr Southwick added that discussing the events on Bourke Street cannot end with the condolence motion in Parliament, rather, that as the leaders of Victoria, Members must make sure that such horrific events never occur again.
The Shadow Minister has stated that he intends to continue fighting for a fairer justice system in Victoria to ensure the safety of the Victorian community is put first.
