Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (16:23): I find myself in the unfortunate but necessary position of having to speak in debate on the important Local Government and Other Legislation Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2026. I note that the Opposition supports the legislation to ensure that this Parliament takes the appropriate steps. The diligent response by my colleagues—particularly the Premier, the relevant Ministers, the member for Coogee and the member for Vaucluse—to support the community and take every measure after the tragic event of 14 December was beyond reproach. Parliament had adjourned for the year but we returned to put laws through, so to imply that the Government thinks this bill is a fix-all is simply not the case.

Under tragic circumstances, this Government of all governments was diligent and proactive in its response—and I am not just saying that because I a member of the Government. Minister Kamper, in particular, supported the community. I note that in an article in that wonderful publication The Daily Telegraph—or it might have been the Sunday Telegraph—he elegantly wrote about how he gave that very serious and tragic issue the attention it required, to his credit. I think his is an example of what all our colleagues did, and I include the member for Vaucluse and give her credit because her community, and all of New South Wales, was impacted by that tragic event, but particularly those who live in that area.

This piece of legislation is another step of multiple steps the Government is taking in response to that tragic event. Having a progressive and proactive approach to any reforms that are required is completely consistent with what the Premier said at that time: The Government will be reviewing and doing everything and anything that it needs to do. That is exactly what is happening, and an example of the consistency shown by the Premier to ensure that this Parliament is acting. More specifically, the bill is part of the next stage of reforms, ultimately led by the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, to ensure that our councils have the powers and requirements to address extremism where it exists. Ultimately, this is not about religion.

The member for Albury was correct when he said that the majority of our faith communities are God­-fearing and good-living people who would never hurt anyone. This bill specifically addresses those extremists who frankly have no place in a common, good society. They certainly have no place in our State or our country. Australia and New South Wales particularly have long welcomed people from war-torn countries going back through generations, and appropriately so. We are a loving and caring nation and we are the ones who stand up for people when they cannot stand up for themselves. On that note, I commend the bill to the House.