Conservative MP Bernie Finn says Victorian gay and lesbian Pride Centre ‘misplaced priorities’

AN outspoken state Liberal MP says a $15 million Pride Centre for gay and lesbian Victorians is “political” and a sign of the government’s misplaced priorities.

The government hopes the centre will be a drawcard for Melbourne.

AN outspoken state Liberal MP says a $15 million Pride Centre for gay and lesbian Victorians is “political” and a sign of the government’s misplaced priorities.

Staunchly conservative Western Metro MP Bernie Finn said as a shadow parliamentary secretary for Autism Spectrum Disorder he believed the money would be better spent on families in that sector.

“When I consider the needs of children with autism in the state, and what $15 million could do for them, it almost makes me cry,” he said.

“It’s a total, total misplaced priorities. For the government to be throwing money around on things that aren’t high on the priority list, in my view, is an absolute disgrace.”

Minister for Equality Martin Foley rebuffed Mr Finn’s attack, and said the government was investing in the disability sector too.

“We’ve demonstrated our commitment to the NDIS, our $2.5 billion investment is proof of that,” he said.

“Fifteen million dollars is a small price to pay to support some of our most marginalised members of our community.”

The scale of the new centre has raised eyebrows in sections of the community, with questions also raised about ongoing costs.

Bernie Finn says the centre is a disgraceful waste.

It is understood a private operator would be sought to run the centre, in a bid to minimise taxpayer contribution.

But Mr Foley suggested the hub would bring more visitors to Melbourne as it “will attract people from across Victoria, Australia, and the world”.

The decision to build a new hub for the LGBTI community comes as Premier Daniel Andrews prepares to apologise in State Parliament to the LGBTI community for past wrongs.

Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convener Sean Mulcahy said he was “delighted” that the “long-held dream” of building such a centre had come true.

“The Pride Centre will provide much-needed space that the whole LGBTI community can use,” Mr Mulcahy said.

He said “safe spaces” were important in the face of “increasing homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia on our streets, in our workplaces, and in our schools”.

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