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.
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.
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.
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.
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-eastern MP Rachel Payne has welcomed $80 million in the state budget to support victim-survivors of family violence, including specialised case management.
Victorian Member of Parliament Rachel Payne is calling on the Allan government to set-up a taskforce to tackle family violence in Melbourne’s South-East, given the area has the highest rates in the state.
Rachel asked if the government would establish a taskforce dedicated to addressing family violence. As several south-eastern suburbs have some of the highest rates of family violence in the metropolitan area, Rachel continues to seek government action on this epidemic.
Rachel asked the Premier to ensure that any further review of Victoria’s bail laws be evidence-led. With bail law changes recently implemented in December 2024, Rachel noted that motivators for crime must first be addressed for effective change.
Rachel presented her contribution to a motion which proposed the legal use of capsicum spray for personal protection.
