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.
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.
Rachel asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety for an update on the 18-month medicinal cannabis driving trial.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
