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.
Who’s cashing in as climate funding dries up?
Rachel asked the government about waste-to-energy caps and the subsequent impact on Victoria’s Sustainability Fund.
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.
Data needed to justify landfill buffer reduction
Rachel asked a question on behalf of a Cranbourne constituent. Rachel’s constituent raised concerns over the proposed redevelopment of the golf course into more than 1,000 new homes, due to its proximity to an active landfill and proposed waste transfer station site.
Strengthen funding for recovery through theatre
Rachel asked the Minister for Corrections to ensure secure funding for theatre programs to engage vulnerable and marginalised community members. Programs including Somebody’s Daughter Theatre and Nobody’s Fool Theatre assist individuals to break cycles of abuse, addiction and disengagement. These programs are in desperate need of funding to continue producing positive outcomes for their participants.
Prevent landfill breaches
Rachel asked a question on behalf of a constituent. Waste company Veolia have recently received a $1 million fine for breaching environmental guidelines at the Hallam Road landfill in Hampton Park. As a Hampton Park resident who has been affected by odour pollution from the landfill site, Rachel’s constituent asked what the Minister for Environment would do to ensure these breaches do not reoccur.
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.
Misidentification of family violence aggressors
Rachel asked about family violence aggressor misidentification. With reforms underway to address misidentification of the predominant aggressor in family violence intervention order applications, Rachel inquired about data collection to track the prevalence of occurrences and success of proposed reforms.
Bring back drug infringement trial
Rachel asked if the government would consider bringing back a drug infringement trial that was previously proposed in 2022. With the guidance of an expert panel and working group, the drug infringement trial would have seen those caught with small quantities of drugs referred to education and/or treatment rather than incarceration. Not unlike the recommendations from the inquiry into cannabis law reform, this proposal has since been abandoned.
Calls for renewed funding for supported independent living
Rachel asked a question on behalf of a constituent, who supports residents with disability at a Supported Independent Living (SIL) facility in Noble Park. With state funding for SIL set to run out at the end of this year, the future of accommodation and employment for these residents and their support workers is uncertain.