Refugee Week 2026
Rachel spoke on Refugee Week, and the importance of celebrating the resilience and contributions of those who have rebuilt their lives here.
St Kilda Gatehouse
Rachel spoke about the important supports provided to street-based sex workers by St Kilda Gatehouse. The non-profit organisation provides emergency aid, support referrals, a place to sleep and a sense of connection for some of the community’s most vulnerable. St Kilda Gatehouse also run programs for girls and young women impacted by sexual exploitation.
My Joint podcast
Rachel announced the launch of her new podcast, ‘My Joint’. On My Joint, honest conversations replace stigma. As the podcast demonstrates, the cannabis community is diverse, and cannabis consumers cannot be typecasted. Each week, Rachel sits down with experts, advocates, and everyday Australians to unpack the myths, realities, and the future of cannabis.
Balancing the scales: International Women’s Day 2026
The 8th of March marked International Women’s Day. During her member’s statement, Rachel encouraged the men in the Legislative Council to reflect on power and how they are helping to “balance the scales”.
Frankston City Council community awards
Rachel presented her member’s statement on the Frankston City Council awards. She recognised the contributions of her constituents and their positive impact on the local community. Thursday the 5th of February 2026,Victorian Legislative Council Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan): I would like to send my congratulations…
‘No excuse’ to ignore preventable gendered violence
Rachel presented a member’s statement, reflecting on the 16 days of activism against family and intimate partner violence. She spoke about the tragic murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children by their respective partner and father, with police ignoring multiple reports of violence and abuse until it was too late. Rachel calls on the government to direct their ‘tough on crime’ approach to address the systemic failures that lead to these tragic but preventable consequences.
Wellsprings for Women: Story is Connection
Rachel spoke about her visit to Wellsprings for Women to watch a performance. Wellsprings for Women is a non-profit organisation in Dandenong, which supports women from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. Their performance entitled ‘Story is Connection’ highlights issues that have affected the lives of these women, exploring their stories of overcoming barriers with strength, resilience and compassion.
Cannabis for women’s pain management
During World Menopause Month, Rachel hosted a forum on women’s health in her electorate. The forum centred around the benefits of cannabis for managing pain symptoms from conditions including endometriosis and menopause. She noted the stigma that many women face when accessing or speaking about medicinal cannabis for pain management, as opposed to other medications such as opioids.
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.
World Elephant Day
Tuesday the 12th of August was World Elephant Day. This is a day dedicated to the preservation and protection of these beautiful, endangered creatures. Rachel sponsors an Asian elephant named Jokia, who was rescued from cruelty and now resides at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand.