‘I cannot, in all good conscience, allow this kind of behaviour to slide,’ MP Nick McGowan says

A Liberal MP has lashed out at family violence prevention organisation Respect Victoria and says its leader must stand down for an “inflammatory” and “divisive” email campaign.

Liberal MP Nick McGowan says ‘it is not the role of government agencies to be pitting one group of people against another’. Picture: Luis Ascui

The Allan government has been slammed over a “divisive” new campaign advising Victorians to “decolonise” their book lists this Australia Day.

The opposition have called for the CEO of government agency, Respect Victoria, to resign after the taxpayer-funded organisation launched an email campaign advising Victorians on how to “decolonise” their reading list this year.

In an email titled, “Decolonise your booklist this January 26”, the family violence prevention organisation asks subscribers to commit to reading books from Indigenous authors.

“The negative implications of colonisation continue to affect all of us, and one of the best ways to challenge racism, violence and discrimination is to take in what First Nations people – women especially – are saying,” it reads.

The campaign from the taxpayer-funded organisation calls on people to ‘decolonise’ their reading list. Picture: iStock

“With listening and learning comes greater empathy, solidarity and respect.”

But Liberal MP Nick McGowan on Thursday said the campaign demonstrated “none of these qualities” and only pitted Victorians against each other.

“It is not the role of government agencies to be pitting one group of people against another. I know that in responding to this campaign, that is precisely what Respect Victoria seek, though I must,” he said.

“I cannot, in all good conscience, allow this kind of behaviour to slide.

“I call upon the acting CEO of ‘Respect Victoria’ to resign today.”

The organisation is currently led by acting CEO Serina McDuff.

Mr McGowan questioned how the taxpayer funded organisation believed Victorians should “decolonise” their booklists.

Respect Victoria’s acting CEO Serina McDuff is being urged to resign.

“I would like to understand how current ‘booklists’ are a threat to all First Nations peoples “safety, equality and respect..” as claimed/implied by this Respect Victoria campaign?” he said.

“We all know this is an intentional use of inflammatory words to attract attention, but in this case the language is coming from an organisation which Victorians can reasonably expect would denounce such divisive marketing ploys.”

The upper house MP questioned why Respect Victoria considered the message a priority at a time when family violence incidents are reported to be increasing.

“At a time when family violence incidents are reported to be increasing, and the Victoria Labor Government is cutting 25 per cent of the staff at Family Safety Victoria, I would like to know how Respect Victoria would consider this a priority worthy of their taxpayer funded attention?” he said.

A state government spokesperson said: “This is a matter for Respect Victoria”.

“The Victorian Government recognise that Australia Day means different things to different people, and supports events that celebrate and encourage reflection, togetherness and inclusion.”

Chair of Respect Victoria Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon defended the suggested reading list, saying it was one of many sent out by the organisation.

“At Respect Victoria, we often send out suggested reading lists to our community. This week we sent out suggestions ahead of 26 January,” she said.

“The more we read, listen to and learn from First Nations people, the more respect we build.

“This is prevention in action.”