The ‘Multifaith Statement’ is signed by Sheikh Isse Abdo Musse (President, Board of Imams Victoria), Phra Khru Kampee-panya-withet (Abbot, Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple), Makarand Bhagwat (Victorian Director, Hindu Council of Australia), Rabbi Daniel Rabin (President, Rabbinical Council of Victoria), Jasbir Singh Suropada (Chairman, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria) and Bishop Peter Danaher (President, Victorian Council of Churches).

Kawalpreet Singh, from the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria, stood next to the Deputy Premier as he read the statement before the faith representatives each said their names in support of the shared announcement.


Mr Merlino, who has publicly expressed his opposition to the Bill, commended the solidarity of the multi-faith gathering and said it was important to consider their perspective.

 

Makarand Bhagwat, from the Hindu Council of Australia, also pointed to the clear accord between the religious leaders, echoing Mr Merlino’s sentiments.

‘All of us coming together here is an extraordinary thing. It demonstrates to the Parliament that we are all together especially on the matter of such sensitive issues.’

‘I’m here today to be with colleagues and people of other faiths to together witness our misgivings and our unhappiness with this proposed legislation,’ explained the Victorian Council of Churches’ signatory, Bishop Peter Danaher. ‘We need to focus far more on palliative care and the care of all those who are facing the final parts of their life.’

Executive Officer of the Ecumenical Interfaith Commission, David Schütz, said that although joint religious action was infrequent, the united display underlined the importance of the issue and the mutual respect that exists between Victoria’s religious communities.

‘This Bill, while attempting to uphold that dignity through enabling personal autonomy, actually greatly endangers the security and care of the many for the sake of a few,’ he said. ‘This group represents the result of a lot of dialogue and hard work.’