Incentivise affordable housing in the South-East
While council-owned land can be rezoned for social and affordable housing development, the state government absorbs a significant portion of funds through the application of windfall gains tax.
Committee inquiry into Waste-to-Energy Infrastructure in Victoria
As a participating member of the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Rachel raised several questions for the panel of stakeholders and industry experts during the final day of the public hearing.
YES to cautions, not arrests for possession
Rachel summed up her motion on police cautions instead of arrests for cannabis personal use possession. After listening to the evidence presented, the Legislative Council debated and ultimately agreed to the motion.
Mandatory polystyrene recycling: Keep it off our beaches!
Rachel asked if the government would consider a mandatory take-back scheme for expanded polystyrene packaging, after data revealed an alarming amount of polystyrene found on beaches in Victoria’s south-east.
Cautions not cuffs: Personal use possession
Rachel presented a motion on police cautions for cannabis possession. In 2024, Victoria Police updated their operations manual to prioritise cautions over arrests, for individuals possessing small quantities of cannabis for personal adult use.
Aged care residents have a right to die with dignity
Rachel noted that reports indicate a denial of access to information on voluntary assisted dying, among terminally ill aged care residents. Rachel called on the Minister for Ageing to take steps toward ensuring that information on voluntary assisted dying is freely available to patients, and for greater oversight around respecting patients’ rights to end their own life with dignity at home.
Cautions Not Cuffs: Time to Make Existing Police Policy the Law
Cannabis has been prohibited in Australia for almost a century. It is a failed policy. Australians continue to consume cannabis and they always will. In 2024 Victoria police acknowledged this, updating the Victorian Police Operational Manual to make cautioning the default option for minor, personal possession. It was the right call. But the arrests keep coming. Today, LCV is calling for what should have already happened: make cautioning the law.
Victory for Locals: VCAT Bins Filthy Dump Proposal in Hampton Park
Casey residents can breathe a collective sigh of relief – VCAT has upheld a decision to deny a contentious waste-transfer station in Hampton Park. Residents didn’t want it, the EPA rejected it and local Member Rachel Payne stood with residents to fight against it. Veolia fought all the way to VCAT, but they lost!
My Joint podcast
Rachel announced the launch of her new podcast, ‘My Joint’. On My Joint, honest conversations replace stigma. As the podcast demonstrates, the cannabis community is diverse, and cannabis consumers cannot be typecasted. Each week, Rachel sits down with experts, advocates, and everyday Australians to unpack the myths, realities, and the future of cannabis.
Let Victoria’s hemp industry blossom
Rachel asked the government to prioritise the introduction of standalone industrial hemp legislation. As a versatile and sustainable material for fuel, construction and cosmetics, the benefits of hemp are far-reaching. However, the Victorian government are still behind the eight-ball on hemp industry growth and investment. Rachel called on the government to remove the barriers to industrial hemp licensing, as industry growth would in turn assist Victorians with oil shortages, cost-of-living and affordable housing.