Better buses in Kingston
Kingston Council have conducted a community survey around local bus services, identifying several routes in need of upgrade in the South-East. Rachel asked if the government would respond to this community need.
Cannabis regulation recommendations: Government deadline fast approaches
Rachel asked if the Government will respond to recommendations from the Inquiry into the Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill 2023, before the September deadline.
Police responses to family and domestic violence
Rachel questioned the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence about police responses to family and domestic violence incidents. Highlighting issues of police misconduct, police-perpetrated family violence, and self-investigation, Rachel asked if the Minister will push for increased funding for community-led responses and an end to police self-investigation.
Vicarious liability reform requires retroactive justice
Rachel asked the Attorney-General a question on victim-survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, whose cases will be decided before vicarious liability laws are reformed. In lieu of passing Rachel’s private member’s bill to effect change to vicarious liability laws, the Victorian government have committed to amending the Wrongs Act 1958. These changes would allow institutions to be held liable for crimes of child sexual abuse perpetrated by “non-employees”. However, victim-survivors who are already engaged in the judicial process could have their cases decided before these changes are passed. Rachel sought clarity on how the changes will affect these individuals.
Vicarious liability laws must be comprehensive
Rachel asked a constituency question about proposed changes to the Wrongs Act 1958. Earlier this year, Rachel submitted a private member’s bill to the Victorian Legislative Council, which would hold institutions vicariously liable for child abuse committed by ‘non-employees’.
While this bill did not pass, the Government have agreed to reform the law so that victim-survivors can access justice. After concerns from community members that the reform will be limited to crimes of abuse perpetrated within the church, Rachel sought confirmation that the law reform will be inclusive of all relevant settings.
Criminalisation of begging punishes Victoria’s most vulnerable
Rachel asked the Attorney-General to make steps toward ending the criminalisation of begging in Victoria, expressing the importance of acknowledging the intersectional factors which lead individuals to beg. Arresting and fining those who are experiencing hardship only serves to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and punish the community’s most vulnerable.
Working with children check system needs national reform
In February, Rachel called on the Premier for greater safeguards to be implemented through the working with children check system, on a national level. This call was not responded to. Meanwhile, reports of serial child predators within the childcare system have horrified the nation.
Rachel again asked for a cohesive, nationally harmonised approach to ensure that working with children checks are serving their intended purpose.
Implement recommendations on historical forced adoption
Rachel asked when the Attorney-General will implement recommendation 24, as stated in the “2022 Government Response to the Recommendations of the Inquiry into responses to historical forced adoption in Victoria.” Recommendation 24 proposed that “The Victorian Government investigate removing the requirement to prove a significant…
Protect Victorians’ rights to peacefully protest
Rachel asked the government for assurance that proposed protest law changes will not infringe on Victorians’ rights to peacefully protest.
Waste-to-energy could cause more problems than it solves
Rachel noted some of the associated risks of waste-to-energy, questioning why the state government is committing to six new plants despite potential harms.