Rachel made a contribution to the Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025. She noted that a rise in retail theft is largely driven by cost-of-living increases. She asserted that while worker safety is essential, new laws must be fair and effective and not exacerbate inequality. As such, a two-year statutory review is essential to determine effectiveness and address any unintended consequences.
Next year, more than 2,000 Victorian graduate nurses will be left without jobs.
Nurses are essential workers. During the Covid 19 pandemic, they got us through. We needed more and we got them. Record numbers of Victorians enrolled in nursing, but incredibly, many now can’t find jobs. An emergency funding package for graduate nurses is urgently needed, and we join the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) in calling on the Allan Labor Government to deliver it.
Rachel welcomed reforms to legislation on non-disclosure agreements in workplace sexual harassment cases.
A new Victorian report into workplace drug testing has found that employees prescribed medicinal cannabis have routinely lost their job or faced disciplinary action just for taking a legal medication – and the law must be amended to protect them.
