News & Updates – Rachel Payne MP – Legalise Cannabis Victoria
Here you will find news and updates from Rachel Payne MP, Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne Region, covering her work in state parliament and across the community. This includes updates on her parliamentary questions and contributions, progress on Legalising Cannabis reform, and local South East Metropolitan Melbourne campaigns and other community initiatives. Check back regularly to stay across the latest media releases and news, or head to our Campaigns page to learn more about the issues Rachel is championing.
For media enquiries or to get in touch, contact Rachel’s office at or (03) 9651 8972.
Protecting Apprentices and Trainees: Education and Training Reform Amendment
Rachel Payne MP has spoken in support of the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Schools and Other Matters) Bill 2026. She is backing a new statutory framework designed to protect some of Victoria’s most vulnerable workers.
A Call for a Statewide Public Health Campaign on Overdose Prevention
Following International Overdose Awareness Day, Rachel Payne MP has pressed the Minister for Health on whether the government will fund a statewide public health campaign to help prevent accidental overdose deaths in Victoria.
Justice Legislation Amendment Bill: Progress for Victim-Survivors, But Not Far Enough
Rachel Payne MP has spoken on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence, Coercive Control, Good Character, Risk Assessment and Other Matters) Bill 2026, welcoming key reforms while arguing the bill falls short of the whole-of-system change victim-survivors need.
Time to Turn the Plan into Action: Rachel Questions Support for Victoria’s Medicinal Cannabis Industry
Rachel Payne MP has pressed the Minister for Agriculture on how the Victorian Government is actually supporting the growth of the state’s medicinal cannabis industry. She argues its own development plan needs to translate into real, accessible support for local businesses.
Police Investigating Police: Rachel to Introduce a Bill to Restore IBAC’s Independence
Rachel Payne MP is introducing the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission Amendment (Functions) Bill 2026, aimed at fixing a provision in the IBAC Act that has left police misconduct effectively investigated by police.
Tackling Plastic Pollution in Victoria’s Waterways
Rachel Payne MP has raised an adjournment matter calling on the Minister for Environment to strengthen protections against plastic pollution, including microplastics, in Victoria’s waterways.
Multicultural Victoria Amendment Bill: Rachel Calls for Real Investment, Not Just Restructure
Rachel Payne MP has spoken in support of the Multicultural Victoria Amendment Bill 2026, welcoming the establishment of a new statutory body but urging the government to back the reform with genuine investment in the grassroots organisations that serve Victoria’s diverse communities.
Electoral Amendment Bill: Rachel Opposes “Half-Baked” Group Voting Tickets Reform
Rachel Payne MP has spoken against the Electoral Amendment (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill 2026, arguing that abolishing group voting tickets without broader reform to Victoria’s upper house electoral system would hand more power to the major…
Wear It Purple Day: Rachel’s Members Statement
Ahead of Wear It Purple Day, Rachel Payne MP used a Member’s Statement in Parliament to reflect on courage and visibility. She also shared a recent story from entertainer Reuben Kaye. This reminded LGBTIQA+ young…
No One Above the Law: Rachel Introduces Anti-corruption Commission Amendment Bill 2026
Rachel Payne MP has introduced the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Amendment (Function) Bill 2026 to Parliament, a bill aimed at restoring IBAC’s independence and discretion to properly investigate allegations of police misconduct in Victoria. (TRIGGER…
Let Victorians Decide: Rachel Calls for a Plebiscite on Cannabis Legalisation
Rachel Payne MP has moved a motion in Parliament calling on the Victorian Government to put cannabis legalisation directly to the people
14 Hours in Emergency: Frankston Hospital
Rachel Payne MP has used a constituency question to Parliament to highlight the experience of a local woman, Jacqui, who spent 14 hours waiting to be admitted to a bed at Frankston Hospital’s emergency department
Why No Community Consultation on the Proposed Data Centre?
Rachel Payne MP has raised a constituent’s concerns in Parliament over a proposed 53-hectare data centre in Clyde North
Rachel Questions the Minister on Native Forest Logging
Two years on from the official end of native timber harvesting in Victoria, Rachel Payne MP used Question Time to press the Minister for Environment on reports that logging is continuing under a different name…
Members Statement – Family Violence Epidemic
In a Member’s Statement to Parliament, Rachel Payne MP used her time in the chamber to cut through the election-year noise around potholes and corruption. She spoke on an issue she says isn’t getting the…
Family Violence Response Model
A Family Violence Response Model That Works — Now It Needs Funding Rachel Payne MP is calling on the Victorian Government to fund the statewide expansion of the Alexis Family Violence Response Model (Alexis-FVRM) —…
Refugee Week 2026
Rachel spoke on Refugee Week, and the importance of celebrating the resilience and contributions of those who have rebuilt their lives here.
Prison lockdowns impact community reintegration
Rachel’s constituent of was just one of many women who have suffered under frequent prison lockdowns at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. She reported missing important appointments as a result, including housing and support appointments, necessary for successful community reintegration.
Establish a public family violence homicide database
Taking guidance from a NSW initiative, Rachel asked the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence to establish a publicly accessible database of homicides occurring in the context of an identifiable history of family violence in Victoria.
Outdoor Recreation Bill puts hunters before environment
Rachel voted against the government’s Outdoor Recreation Victoria Bill 2026 and supported a motion to refer the legislation to a bill review.
Victoria is sleeping on police shortage solutions
While Rachel agreed upon the temporary measure to support Victoria Police at a time of police shortage, she reiterated several long-term solutions that would free up police time and resources.
Complaints processes must be accessible
Rachel asked how the Minister will ensure that Monash Health’s complaints process is made more accessible to individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those with a disability.
Regulating Informal Assisted Reproductive Treatment
Rachel has previously raised her concerns in the chamber about the dissolution of the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA), which was responsible for the regulation of Assisted Reproductive Treatment, and education programs.
St Kilda Gatehouse
Rachel spoke about the important supports provided to street-based sex workers by St Kilda Gatehouse. The non-profit organisation provides emergency aid, support referrals, a place to sleep and a sense of connection for some of the community’s most vulnerable. St Kilda Gatehouse also run programs for girls and young women impacted by sexual exploitation.
Medicinal Cannabis Driving Trial: Where’s the update?
Rachel asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety for an update on the 18-month medicinal cannabis driving trial.
Rough sleepers need support, not punishment
Rachel spoke about the increase of rough sleeping due to the ongoing cost-of-living and housing crisis, and punitive measures adopted by some councils. She asked the Attorney-General what is being done to protect vulnerable Victorians living on the streets and requested a timeframe for the decriminalisation of begging.
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.
What’s on your mind?
If there’s a comment, question or issue that you care about, please leave me a message and I’ll do my best to help.