Government bill seeks to cut integral oversight bodies
Rachel made a contribution to the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025.
End prison strip searches
Rachel asked the Minister for Corrections to call for an end to strip searches in Victorian prisons. She also requested for data collection on strip searches to be expanded and published quarterly.
Rachel referred to a report co-authored by Human Rights Law Centre, Formerly Incarcerated Girls Justice Advocates Melbourne (FIGJAM) and Flat Out.
The report found that strip searches are often ineffective and that less invasive alternatives are available. It also noted the trauma of incarcerated children having to strip search in front of adult guards, and the compounding harms on disproportionately incarcerated First Nations people.
Crimes Amendment Bill 2026 enhances police powers to prosecute protestors
Rachel spoke on the Crimes Amendment Bill 2026, expressing why the bill will not be supported by Legalise Cannabis Victoria.
The amendment will make it easier for police to commence adult prosecutions for serious vilification offences, as police would no longer need consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This raises serious concerns around protest, as the government have been unable to answer as to which behaviours they are seeking to prosecute more readily.
Sustainable funding for Knox library
On behalf of a constituent in her electorate, Rachel called for sustainable funding for valuable local community service, Knox Library (Ngarrgoo).
Medical mandatory reporting responsiveness
On the back of harrowing reports of serious surgical misconduct at Melbourne Private Hospital, Rachel noted a disparity of care within the health system, among women and people who menstruate, Rachel asked the Minister what is being done to ensure that mandatory reporting obligations are taken seriously.
Expand IBAC powers to stamp out political corruption
Rachel intended to speak in support of a bill to expand the powers of the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).
Support for inquiry into IBAC funding
Rachel intended to speak in support of a motion to require a committee inquiry into funding for the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC), the Ombudsman and Integrity Oversight Victoria.
12% of arrests, 1% of the population: Cannabis policing in Victoria
Rachel asked if the government would redirect resources from criminalisation of small amounts of cannabis to addressing serious violent crime.
Misconduct investigations must remain independent
Rachel inquired on the proposed absorption of the Victim of Crime Commissioner position by the Victorian government.
Emergency management days for prison lockdowns
Rachel called on the Minister for Corrections to consider emergency management days for all cases at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.