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.
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.
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.
Cardinia residents can’t get to TAFE
As Cardinia residents lack accessible TAFE options, Rachel asked if the government would commit to establishing a TAFE location within Cardinia Shire. Given the government’s focus on free TAFE with the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Free TAFE Guarantee) Bill 2026, campus accessibility must be considered.
Prison phone calls keep families connected
Rachel asked the Minister for Corrections if the government would consider removing the prohibitive cost of prison phone calls and make communication more accessible. As Rachel states, phone calls in prison can be up to ten times more expensive than a standard call.
South Eastern councils need state support for affordable housing
Rachel asked if the government would consider windfall gains tax exemptions for councils for the purpose of meeting community social and affordable housing needs.
Exploring medicinal cannabis for opioid use disorder
Preliminary evidence suggests that medicinal cannabis could be a beneficial treatment option for opioid use disorder. Rachel asked the Minister for Health if the government would support greater investment into medicinal cannabis research, including its potential as a treatment for opioid use disorder.
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.
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).