One of Queensland’s newest MP’s, proud Gubbi Gubbi man, Lance McCallum was sworn into Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, making it the first time in the state's history that three Indigenous MP's all hold seats at the same time.
Mr McCallum said he was “immensely proud” to join Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch and backbencher Cynthia Lui as the third Indigenous member to join the Palaszczuk government.
During his maiden speech, he said he has received his “share of racism”, vowing to always call out the “insidious behaviour.”
“I have been subject to my share of racism and I have seen others be persecuted for their origin, religion, body shape, gender or sexuality simply because the perception of them by others was one of an often illusionary difference,” said Mr McCallum.
“I will always strive to call out this insidious behaviour and will always choose acceptance, collectiveness and unity over fear, distrust and division and staunchly support those who work in our communities to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness.
“Being inclusive, tolerant and supporting one another is something that I believe in deeply," he said.
Mr McCallum, who was elected to the Ipswich-based seat of Bundamba at a March by-election, also said he will protect state-owned assets and to help people in his electorate to find stable jobs.
"Looking back now to my childhood, with seven people in my family living in a three-bedroom house with a single working wage to support us all, there was no way we would have been able to survive if my father’s job had not been secure," he said.
"As we begin to rebuild our coronavirus impacted economy, with so many unemployed, underemployed and seeking more work or having given up on looking for work altogether, all through circumstances beyond."
