Medicinal Cannabis Driving Trial: Where’s the update?
Rachel asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety for an update on the 18-month medicinal cannabis driving trial.
Omnibus bill promises broad justice reforms
Rachel spoke on the government’s Justice Legislation Further Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2025. This bill extends the operation of the County Court Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, improves the fines system in Victoria, and expands penalties for bestiality crimes.
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.
Labor’s glaring hypocrisy on cannabis reform
Rachel spoke on a motion by Legalise Cannabis Victoria. The motion was a response to the Labor government’s continued criminalisation of cannabis. Rachel urged the Victorian Labor government to reconsider its position on cannabis decriminalisation, noting previous endorsement by Victorian Labor Members.
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.
‘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.
Cannabis decriminalisation frees up police resources
Rachel called on the Minister for Police to decriminalise cannabis. Violent crimes have taken precedence in allocation of police resources. However, cannabis arrests are still occurring, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people statistically overrepresented. Decriminalisation would ensure that police resources can be prioritised where they are most needed.
Cannabis regulation recommendations: Government deadline fast approaches
Rachel asked if the Government will respond to recommendations from the Inquiry into the Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis Bill 2023, before the September deadline.
Transparency on initial review of Victoria’s working with children scheme
Rachel requested the immediate tabling of documents relating to the Department of Government Services 2025 initial review of Victoria’s working with children scheme.
Recent news has called attention to child abuse cases within the childcare sector, perpetrated by workers who held valid working with children checks. This has emphasised the overdue need for reform of the Victorian working with children check system.Legalise Cannabis MP demanded justice for child sexual abuse survivors, applauds pending law change
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.