Alexis family violence response model
Rachel asked the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence if they will extend the Alexis family violence response model program to the City of Casey.
‘No excuse’ to ignore preventable gendered violence
Rachel presented a member’s statement, reflecting on the 16 days of activism against family and intimate partner violence. She spoke about the tragic murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children by their respective partner and father, with police ignoring multiple reports of violence and abuse until it was too late. Rachel calls on the government to direct their ‘tough on crime’ approach to address the systemic failures that lead to these tragic but preventable consequences.
Coercive control bill “a blunt instrument for a complex problem”
Rachel spoke on a family violence motion which would create a standalone offence for coercive control. She acknowledged the deeply disturbing prevalence of family and intimate partner violence, and its well-established connection with coercive control. Rachel spoke to the evidence arising from stakeholder consultation and law changes in New South Wales, noting that effectiveness of a standalone offence is contentious and could be underutilised or otherwise cause harmful, unintended consequences.
It should not be a crime to ask for help
Rachel second read her private member’s bill, the Summary Offences Amendment (Begging) Bill 2025. If passed, this bill would decriminalise begging in Victoria. Rachel presented the bill’s compatibility with the Human Rights Charter, before speaking to the intersecting factors which cause people to beg for survival. Rachel urges the government to shift from a criminal justice response to begging, to a public health response.
More Please: When Survival Becomes a Crime
Begging is a criminal offence in Victoria. It is punishable by up to twelve months in prison. In the most progressive state, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, you can go to prison for being poor.
Misidentification of family violence aggressors
Rachel asked about family violence aggressor misidentification. With reforms underway to address misidentification of the predominant aggressor in family violence intervention order applications, Rachel inquired about data collection to track the prevalence of occurrences and success of proposed reforms.
Extend the ‘Safe at Home’ initiative to Casey
This year, over 7000 family and domestic violence incidents have been reported in Casey to date. Rachel asks for assurance that the Safe at Home initiative can be rolled out in areas of highest need – including the City of Casey – as soon as successfully proven.
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.
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.
South-east MP welcomes funds to support domestic violence survivors in the Victorian budget
South-eastern MP Rachel Payne has welcomed $80 million in the state budget to support victim-survivors of family violence, including specialised case management.