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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-17 Daily Xml
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Matters of Interest

Woman, Life, Freedom

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:20): Three years ago, on 16 September 2022, the world was changed. Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, was arrested, beaten and died in the custody of Iran's police. Her death was not just a tragedy; it was a spark, a spark that ignited a global movement for justice, dignity and freedom. Across continents, people rose in protest. In Australia, especially in South Australia, we stood shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian community, united by three powerful words: woman, life, freedom—zan, zendegi, azadi.

These three words have echoed through our streets, our hearts and our parliament. They speak to the courage of those in Iran who risked everything: posting online, marching peacefully and speaking out, despite the threat of violence and imprisonment. Their bravery is matched by the tireless efforts of the Iranian diaspora in South Australia. You have rallied, you have written, you have lobbied, you have mourned, and you have never stopped fighting for a better future in Iran.

Because of your persistence, South Australia's Legislative Council became the first parliament in this country to pass a motion condemning the Iranian regime and supporting the Iranian people's call for democracy. That is not just an achievement; it is a legacy. For three years, your voices have never wavered. You stood on the steps of parliament in Adelaide and around Australia and echoed the cries of those who could not speak freely. Your advocacy helped catalyse a decisive shift in this nation's stance. After decades of ambiguity, Australia has finally acted with clarity and conscience.

I am told that for years the Islamic Republic's diplomats weaponised its embassies against its own people, even here in Australia, but recently the Australian government expelled Iranian diplomats and announced its intention to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organisation, a demand this community has championed for years. That is a testament to your persistence, your clarity and your moral leadership.

Last night, to mark this solemn anniversary the Iranian community and I hosted a vigil in this Parliament House courtyard to honour Jina's life and to recommit ourselves to the cause she came to represent. We were joined by the Hon. Tammy Franks MLC, the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC and the Hon. Mira El Dannawi, who although on maternity leave came into parliament to stand with us. Each honourable member spoke with emotion and grace in support of the Iranian community.

To the people of Iran: we see you. We believe in your right to self-determination. We honour your resilience and we recognise your pain, not as distant observers but as fellow human beings. To the young girls of Saqqez, of Tehran and of Shiraz, who write poetry under candlelight, who whisper freedom into the wind: your fight is not forgotten. To the mothers in diaspora, who light candles for children lost and children living: you are the bridge between grief and hope. To the men who choose to stand beside the women of Iran, rather than above them: you are the blueprint of a new masculinity born from justice.

To all of you—Iranians and allies alike—who carry this banner forward: do not give up; not now, not ever. To the Iranian community in Australia: you are not alone. Your voice matters. Your struggle is seen and your hope is shared. Together, we will continue to stand for women, life, freedom—zan, zendegi, azadi.

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