Protect kids, not reputations
Rachel asked if Victoria would follow suit with other states by banning good character references in child sexual abuse cases.
Prescribed ≠ Impaired
Rachel questioned the Minister for Police on the criminalisation of medicinal cannabis patients via roadside drug-testing. Unlike with other prescription medications, medicinal cannabis patients risk charges if a positive THC result is produced in a roadside drug test.
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.
Non-disclosure agreement reforms lift veil of silence
Rachel welcomed reforms to legislation on non-disclosure agreements in workplace sexual harassment cases.
Vicarious liability: protect legislation from evasive tactics
Rachel questioned the government on vicarious liability reform. Rachel asked the government how vicarious liability laws will be protected from tactics from institutions to avoid accountability for historical child sexual abuse offences.
Judge bills on merit, not party lines
Rachel calls on the Victorian government to end their policy of not supporting private members bills. Private members bills give non-government members and backbenchers the opportunity to put forward proposals to change the law to be considered by the government.
A Day of Reckoning for Institutions that Enable the Abuse of Children
Today, the Victorian Government introduced a bill to improve access to compensation for victim-survivors of institutional child abuse. It is our job as legislators to get the right outcome, and we commend the government for doing what we and countless have been calling for – the removal of absurd vicarious liability loopholes.
No Exceptions for Abusers: Putting Survivors first on National Survivor’s Day 2025
Today is National Survivor’s Day and while we commend the Victorian Government’s recent announcement that they will introduce retrospective vicarious liability laws by the end of the year, we are concerned that loopholes will be left in place for other “volunteer” employees.
‘Weak and cowardly’ government reject cannabis reform
Rachel spoke on the government’s response to the Inquiry into the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023. Despite working with the government in good faith, recommendations from the inquiry have been rejected. Rachel called the government out for “lacking courage” and misdirecting a “tough on crime” approach by continuing to waste millions of dollars prosecuting individuals for possessing small quantities of cannabis.
Summary Offences Amendment (Begging) Bill 2025
Rachel introduced the Summary Offences Amendment (Begging) Bill 2025. If passed, this bill would bring Victoria in line with NSW, WA and ACT in decriminalising begging. Currently in Victoria, begging is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum 12-month prison sentence, and hefty fines.