Victorian bushfires
Rachel joined her fellow Legislative Council members in acknowledging the devastating impact of recent bushfires on Victorians and expressing gratitude to those who have volunteered and donated.
Bus shelter for Chelsea
On behalf of a constituent, Rachel raised the need for a new bus shelter in Chelsea, to provide weather protection for local commuters.
Road Safety in Casey
Rachel asked if the government would commit to implementing safety measures at a road accident and near miss hotspot on the South Gippsland Highway.
Liberal’s ‘Safer Protest’ bill could prevent peaceful protest
Rachel Payne addressed the Liberal’s ‘Safer Protest’ bill, and spoke on the Safer Protest with a Registration System and a Ban on Face Coverings Bill 2025. Rachel asserted that this bill provides no guidance on addressing the risks of violent protests by hate-groups, instead offering greater move-on powers to police: “This bill does not provide guidance on how we might respond to groups like the fascists, merely on the means to stop any protest.”
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.
‘Post and boast’ performance crimes
Rachel spoke on the Crimes Amendment (Performance Crime) Bill 2025. Rachel acknowledged community fears around an increase in crime, with criminals ‘posting and boasting’ about their offences. However, she expressed that this amendment creates a “slippery slope” that could lead to unintended consequences. Rachel questioned the Minister on the impacts of this bill on drug offences, youth incarceration and homophobic attacks.
Working with children check system needs national reform
In February, Rachel called on the Premier for greater safeguards to be implemented through the working with children check system, on a national level. This call was not responded to. Meanwhile, reports of serial child predators within the childcare system have horrified the nation.
Rachel again asked for a cohesive, nationally harmonised approach to ensure that working with children checks are serving their intended purpose.
Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024
Rachel contributed to the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, speaking to the need for mandatory changes to minimise gambling harms.
Justice for Victim Survivors
HELP VICTIM SURVIVORS OF INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE GET JUSTICE Victim survivors of institutional child abuse are being denied justice – simply because their perpetrator was not an employee. The recent High Court decision in Bird v DP means that victim survivors of institutional child abuse cannot…
Rainbow Libraries Toolkit criticism is ‘perplexing’
Rachel spoke in support of Victoria’s Rainbow Libraries Toolkit, in response to a petition calling for the cessation of its rollout. The Rainbow Libraries Toolkit was developed as a guide for library staff on ensuring safety, inclusion and equality for all Victorians accessing public libraries.