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.
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.
With informal ‘rogue’ sperm donors exploiting women and putting families at risk, Rachel asked what the government is doing to regulate informal sperm donation and educate the public on its potential harms.
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.
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.