I contribute to debate in support of the Library Amendment Bill 2026. I acknowledge Caroline Butler-Bowdon, the State Librarian, and her team who join us for this debate. I know they have worked very hard. If members love our libraries as much as I do, and they have nothing on tomorrow night, Unplugged is on at the State Library next door from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. as part of Vivid. I am told it is very exciting. Members should visit if they are lovers of libraries—and lovers of lights, because that is what Vivid is about.

I return to the bill. As we have heard, the bill contains a very important but straightforward amendment that ensures that the collections at libraries are not subject to the whim of populist politicians in local government. I find it particularly interesting that people who claim to be of the libertarian stream, and who think that government should not intervene and that we should get rid of the nanny state and have all the freedoms, also want to ban books. It does not seem to add up. The maths isn't mathing, as they say. The bill will ensure that does not happen. It is critically important that libraries have texts that contain all kinds of ideas that challenge us. That is what makes them so special.

I certainly would not be here today if it was not for my local library. I have mentioned previously that, when I was growing up, our family was not rolling in cash, so to speak. The local library was a place where I could pursue my love of books. As I said, without my local library card, I would not be here today. In those libraries were probably books that contained things I did not agree with or like, but I understand that is part of living in a democracy and part of being challenged. In fact, I still, from time to time, collect books that I may not agree with. The member for Liverpool knows that I love nothing more than to grab my copy of The Latham Diaries and read passages from it from time to time.

Ms Charishma Kaliyanda: Your signed copy.

Mr NATHAN HAGARTY: Yes. We collect books we do not like. We read about ideas that we do not agree with. I love books, as I am sure we all do. Once again, I encourage members to get along to the State Library tomorrow night to see Unplugged from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. as part of Vivid. I commend the bill to the House.