There are less than 4,000 registered JPs in Victoria compared to the 80,000 in Queensland and over 70,000 in NSW. According to the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices (RVAHJ) fewer than 2000 Victorian JPs are actively performing witnessing and certification services. The shortfall has meant the JPs who volunteer their time and provide their services free of charge are overburdened and increasingly hard to access.
Rachel asked the Attorney-General a question on victim-survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, whose cases will be decided before vicarious liability laws are reformed. In lieu of passing Rachel’s private member’s bill to effect change to vicarious liability laws, the Victorian government have committed to amending the Wrongs Act 1958. These changes would allow institutions to be held liable for crimes of child sexual abuse perpetrated by “non-employees”. However, victim-survivors who are already engaged in the judicial process could have their cases decided before these changes are passed. Rachel sought clarity on how the changes will affect these individuals.
Rachel spoke on Legalise Cannabis Victoria’s motion to progress recommendations on workplace drug testing. The current workplace drug testing model is punitive and discriminates against medicinal cannabis patients. In 2023, Rachel participated in the Inquiry into Workplace drug testing, which was initiated by a motion moved by Legalise Cannabis Victoria. Recommendations were handed down subsequent to this inquiry, that are yet to be implemented by the Government.
Rachel asked a constituency question about proposed changes to the Wrongs Act 1958. Earlier this year, Rachel submitted a private member’s bill to the Victorian Legislative Council, which would hold institutions vicariously liable for child abuse committed by ‘non-employees’.
While this bill did not pass, the Government have agreed to reform the law so that victim-survivors can access justice. After concerns from community members that the reform will be limited to crimes of abuse perpetrated within the church, Rachel sought confirmation that the law reform will be inclusive of all relevant settings.
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.
Rachel asked the Legislative Council to consider Legalise Cannabis Victoria’s amendments to the Roads and Ports Legislation (Road Safety and Other Matters) Bill 2025. These amendments would afford drivers who are prescribed medicinal cannabis the same freedom as those on other legal prescriptions, given that they are not impaired. While these crucial amendments were supported by the Greens and several crossbenchers, they were ultimately negatived.
Rachel made a contribution to the Roads and Ports Legislation Amendment (Road Safety and Other Matters) Bill 2025. On behalf of Legalise Cannabis Victoria, Rachel proposed amendments, advocating that medicinal cannabis that does not impair driving must be treated in the same manner as other prescription drugs.
Rachel asked when the Attorney-General will implement recommendation 24, as stated in the “2022 Government Response to the Recommendations of the Inquiry into responses to historical forced adoption in Victoria.” Recommendation 24 proposed that “The Victorian Government investigate removing the requirement to prove a significant…
Rachel asked the government for assurance that proposed protest law changes will not infringe on Victorians’ rights to peacefully protest.
South-East MP Rachel Payne – who has been working for justice for survivors of child sexual abuse – has welcomed news that the law will be changed in Victoria, to make institutions accountable for past wrongdoings of clergy and volunteers.
Ms Payne of the Legalise Cannabis Party introduced her own bill to hold institutions, such as the Catholic Church and community sporting clubs, answerable for child sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy and volunteers.
