Secure employment for nursing graduates
Rachel asked the Minister for Health to release emergency funding to ensure that nursing and midwifery graduates can secure employment.
In Conversation: Women’s Health and Cannabis
On Wednesday the 8th of October, Rachel hosted a community health forum ‘In Conversation: Exploring Women’s Health and Cannabis’. From menstrual pain to menopause, cannabis is changing the conversation around women’s health. Watch Rachel and expert panellists, Tegan Scates and Lisa Nguyen, put the misinformation aside and talk about the science, stigma, and lived experience of women who use cannabis.
Cannabis criminalisation: Arresting our community’s most vulnerable
Rachel asked a question on behalf of a constituent. Like so many others, Rachel’s constituent uses cannabis for pain management. Given the Government’s recent rejection of cannabis reform recommendations, Rachel inquired on the criminalisation of vulnerable community members.
Access In Action – Purcell and Payne launch bold push to reform abortion in Victoria
While abortion is now decriminalised in Victoria, access barriers ensure this procedure is being delayed and denied by stealth, and the Victorian government must urgently pull every lever to address this crisis.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission cuts
On behalf of a constituent, Rachel asked the government about staffing cuts to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
Cannabis reform: “It’s time”
Rachel presented a member’s statement on her attendance to the 2025 David Penington Oration. This year’s oration was presented by former Magistrate of the Victorian Drug court, Tony Parsons.
Landfill emissions monitoring
Harmful carcinogens, neurotoxins, PFAS and ultrafine particles are emitted by the hazardous waste landfill site on Taylor’s Road in Dandenong South, yet these emissions are not monitored by the EPA. Rachel asked for an expansion on the types of emissions which the EPA monitors, to ensure air quality for constituents in the vicinity of this site.
Mandatory genetic testing for unexplained child deaths
Rachel asked the government to implement routine genetic testing, in cases where a deceased person is under 20 years old and cause of death is unclear. The ‘Coroners Project’ campaign was established by Danielle Green and her husband Leon, who tragically lost their two young children to a rare genetic mutation.
Inquiry into Waste-to-Energy passed!
Rachel moved a motion requiring the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to inquire into the expansion of waste-to-energy infrastructure in Victoria. After the debate, Rachel concluded her motion, before it was taken to a vote in the Victorian Legislative Council. The motion passed, with a vote count of 18 – 10.
Waste-to-Energy inquiry debate sparked
With seven new licenses granted for waste-to-energy plants last week and the government increasing the annual cap on waste burning by 150%, it seems the future of Victoria’s waste management is going up in smoke. But not all waste-to-energy is created equal.