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THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
WELCOME
Rates of sexual offending are increasing, including in the repugnant world of child pornography on the dark web. Last week, Federal Parliament introduced mandatory minimum sentences for various child sex offences not covered by the States (such as offences committed overseas). We hope the Federal Labor Party's support for these minimum sentences will pave the way for stronger laws and measures in Victoria, including our key policy for a public Register of Convicted Sex Offenders.
We have led the way during this term of Parliament in continuing our lobbying for much needed changes to ensure minimum jail terms for those who injure emergency services workers are enforced.
It was an interesting week in Parliament, to say the very least, following revelations on the 60 Minutes program of branch stacking and appalling behaviour by a former Minister of the Government. We supported a referral to the Ombudsman of these allegations and hope the investigation will bring full transparency to the alleged misconduct. Being an MP is not about building personal power and empires, it's about representing and advancing the needs and views of others.
- Tania
Sentencing Amendment (Emergency Worker Harm) Bill 2020
Attacks on emergency workers, which are often fuelled by alcohol or drug use, sadly remain far too commonplace across Victoria - and we have repeatedly called for changes to the laws relating to them. We were therefore pleased to see not only the Government's changes to this Legislation last week, but also that the Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party amendments to them passed unopposed. My colleague Stuart Grimley’s amendments require an official review of the Legislation after 12 months of operation.
Mandatory sentencing for paedophiles
One of our priorities is protecting vulnerable children, which we believe requires mandatory sentencing for serious child sex offenders. Following the inception of new Federal laws, I moved the following motion in Parliament.
That this House —
- notes the passage this week in the Federal Parliament of child protection laws establishing mandatory minimum sentences for certain child sex offences;
- expresses its abhorrence at such horrendous crimes;
- further expresses its concern about the ongoing increases in the numbers of these crimes; and
- calls on the Victorian Government to clarify whether it agrees with the Federal Labor Party’s decision to support the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for certain child sex offences.
SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT
Murray Basin Rail Project
I asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure to outline when the new business case for the Murray Basin Rail Project will be made public. There is now growing speculation and concern that the document recommends the project only be revived in a substantially reduced form. This would be devastating for the many affected stakeholders in Northern Victoria, including those who have made significant financial investments on the basis of the originally-announced project.
Mildura passenger rail
Mildura remains the only major rural city in Victoria without a passenger rail service, a massive frustration for these communities in my electorate. I called on the Government to 'get on board' and reintroduce the service, which would clearly reduce the impacts of isolation, increase liveability, stimulate more local jobs and population growth and decrease local residents' travel costs. It would also contribute to tourism for those wanting to travel to Mildura to experience all that the area has to offer.
Elder Abuse Awareness Day
On the positive side to this very sombre topic are the people who dedicate their time fighting for victims of elder abuse. A great example of this is Maria Berry, from North East of Victoria, who has spent many years advocating for the rights of the elderly. Maria dedicates her life to this cause through her advocacy on advisory committees, the National Ageing Research Institute, Clinical Networks, Elder Abuse Australia and within conferences, forums and networking groups. I thank Maria, and other advocates like her, for their advice, lobbying and proactive campaigning for people who suffer elder abuse.
CFA resourcing and lack of equipment
With the reconfiguration of the CFA from 1 July and the uncertainty it brings, volunteers have contacted me to express their discontent and concerns regarding the pending changes. Beechworth have raised concerns about their current stock of vehicles. They are all more than a decade old and not well suited to the local terrain. Last summer reinforced the critical need for quality resourcing of brigades and fit-for-purpose equipment. I requested that the Minister visit Beechworth with me to see, first-hand, how unsuitable these vehicles are when required to provide emergency support to the community.
Health spending priorities
Billions of dollars of unscheduled COVID-19 related expenditure is being spent in the Health portfolio. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the consequences for many local hospitals and health services in our region, which were already urgently in need to new funding. I asked the Minister for Health how all of this recent spending has altered the Government’s overall future spending priorities in the Health portfolio, especially in Northern Victoria, for the remainder of this term of Parliament.
Exemptions for retirement village exit entitlements
There are growing concerns among my constituents that the Government may be considering exemptions for operators of retirement villages that will financially penalise residents, including in relation to their refundable in-going contributions. I asked the Minister for Consumer Affairs to give an assurance that there will not be changes to the application of these regulations and that residents will be protected.
Sue Mills: Exceptional Woman in Victorian Resources
Congratulations to Sue Mills from Bendigo East, who has been named 2020’s Exceptional Woman in Victorian Resources. Sue is the Processing Manager at Kirkland Lake's Fosterville gold mine, overseeing all operations and maintenance on the mine's surface. This award is a reflection of how well she meets these challenges.
NEMA funding
The North East Multicultural Association (NEMA) is an integral part of the support network for existing and new migrants to the region. I asked the Minister for Multicultural Affairs to clarify whether NEMA will receive access to urgently needed and renewed funding.
Coalition Ombudsman referral
Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party has supported a referral to the Ombusdman of the allegations aired on 60 Minutes and in The Age regarding Ministers' misuse of staff and budget entitlements. The people of Victoria are owed nothing less here than full transparency and accountability in the investigation of these allegations – and the Ombudsman, in our view, has a very valuable and important role to play in that process.
Rescue of William Callaghan
We all breathed a sigh of relief when teenager William Callaghan was found, having spent two days missing in thick bushland at Mt Disappointment. Thank you to the almost 500 people, including Police Search and Rescue Squad, SES, CFA and volunteers from the area and beyond, who worked together and searched around the clock for more than 48 hours until William was found. The incredible efforts of the search teams included creative methods to try and connect with William through his favourite music and the smell of his favourite foods. In the words of William’s mother, Penny Callaghan, when addressing the search teams, “you are all amazing”.
BILLS DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
- Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 - passed
- Wage Theft Bill 2020 - passed
- Sentencing Amendment (Emergency Worker Harm) Bill 2020 - passed with amendments
- Justice Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2019 - passed
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03 4700 1787
tania.maxwell@parliament.vic.gov.au
www.taniamaxwell.com.au
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