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NEWSLETTER
WELCOME
Parliament resumed last week to debate a contentious piece of legislation which proposed a six-month extension to the State of Emergency. The Bill required us to address very important questions about the extent to which it is appropriate for governments and public officials to seek to impose their own will over the rights, freedoms and liberties of citizens. Our preference was for no more than a month-by-month extension to the State of Emergency and Derryn Hinch's Justice Party voted against the legislation. Unfortunately, it passed by one vote with the support of the Reason Party, Animal Justice Party and The Greens.
Changes to border restrictions by both the New South Wales and South Australian governments have delivered relief for many residents who have been unable to access work, essential services, education or to care for members of their family. There are still some towns excluded, however, so I hope it won't be long before border restrictions are lifted completely.
I was very disappointed in the 'regional roadmap' announced by the Government, which will be devastating for thousands of businesses across Northern Victoria. I have been calling since June for the Government to rethink the approach to managing restrictions in regional areas and allow areas with no cases to open up safely and trade within their own community. As at today, there are 17 Local Government Areas in Northern Victoria with ZERO active cases of coronavirus. The current roadmap is a lost opportunity to manage the health risks and provide some economic flexibility that could save many businesses from financial ruin.
- Tania
State of Emergency legislation
Whilst I recognise the need for safe and careful management of COVID-19, I also firmly believe that extensive checks and balances should always be in place to guard against the misuse of power and authority by any government in Victoria or, indeed, anyone acting on its behalf. In my speech on this controversial Bill last week, I clarified that our preference was for an extension to the State of Emergency of one month, and for this to then be reviewed by the Parliament if and when necessary. There has not been nearly enough flexibility in the State’s coronavirus response over the last six months and this is something I continue to convey to the Government, especially in pushing for more proportionate restrictions in regional areas with low
(or no) cases.
Work in Parliament
Alicia Little
Alicia Little died on 28 December 2017. Alicia sustained horrific and critical injuries after being crushed against a water tank by the car her fiancé was driving. Her fiancé was charged with murder, the charge later downgraded under a plea bargain to dangerous driving causing death and one count of failing to render assistance after a motor vehicle accident. Charles McKenzie Evans walked free last week, on parole after serving two and a half years for his crimes. Alicia's family continues to suffer the devastation of her loss, compounded by their feelings that justice was NOT served.
Super worries over
super-loads
The Victorian Government has authorised super-loaded trucks with infrastructure for the West Gate Tunnel project to detour through roads via Longwood and Locksley, at least five times a week for the next two years. Some of the loads are rumoured to approach 225 tonnes and the Strathbogie Shire, community groups and residents have very reasonable and justified questions about who will take responsibility to pay for the costs of maintaining and repairing the roads. The community is disappointed with the lack of consultation and engagement.
Aged care lockdowns
There are more than 748 aged care facilities and nursing homes across Victoria, many that have been in lockdown for months in a bid to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to both residents and staff. There is no substitute for human contact, and I am concerned with the high levels of distress being placed on residents and families who are not able to have visits or outings. Despite concerning failings of some facilities in their duty of care, there are thousands of committed aged care workers in the sector and we continue to count on them to support residents in aged care.
Border advocacy
In Question Time, I asked the Minister for Health to account for the Government's advocacy on behalf of border communities. I'm extremely concerned at reports that suggest a lack of access for the New South Wales Premier to testing and contact tracing information from Victoria. I have repeatedly advocated for practical changes to the border permit system and checkpoints. Common sense requests like a dedicated emergency lane at border crossings are still being ignored.
In my Members Statement, I noted the economy of Albury-Wodonga suffered a $100 million hit in the last two months, forecast to exceed $300 million by Christmas. This is just one border community out of the vast number within my electorate of Northern Victoria and they are all being adversely impacted in many ways.
Failure to attend court
The failure of offenders to attend court, simply through refusal to leave their cells, or what could be construed as a range of ‘weak excuses’, demonstrates a disregard for the justice system, a massive waste of time and money, and an affront to victims. I moved a motion last week calling on the Government to strengthen its procedures to make it more difficult for offenders to avoid or refuse to attend court.
Victims of crime
I moved a motion asking for improved resourcing and administration of victim support services. I am aware of a number of instances where victims have lost access to counselling and support services, often suddenly and without notice. Victims of crime should not need to re-substantiate claims to access ongoing mental health counselling. It is important to recognise that victims of crime, especially those where a family member is murdered, suffer ongoing trauma and require continued access to mental health support that can be ramped up when distress is heightened by other triggers.
Turning Point and other drug issues
I recently discovered, from a Question on Notice, that the drug and alcohol rehabilitation organisation, Turning Point, received around $16.5 million in funding from the Victorian Government during 2019-20. This was the organisation that issued advice earlier this year that individuals should "talk to (their) dealer about what might happen if (their) regular drug supply may be restricted and stock up on (their) drugs of choice" amid the COVID-19 restrictions. I therefore asked the Minister for Mental Health for a range of detailed information about the Victorian Government’s funding of alcohol and other drug treatment and rehabilitation services – and how this spending is being reviewed and evaluated.
Child protection
As a consequence of the coronavirus restrictions, face to face contact between children in state care and their parents has been terminated since March. I asked the Minister for Child Protection what specific actions the Department of Health and Human Services has taken since this face to face contact was terminated, to ensure that parents still had opportunities to adequately prove they have the capacity to safely resume care for their children. I also asked whether the Government will provide a six-month extension to the normal two-year long ‘reunification’ processes to reflect this lack of face to face contact.
Regional bus services
I was pleased to speak on the motion introduced by the Transport Matters Party to require the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to inquire into extending the use of school buses for use by the wider community to enhance mobility in regional and rural areas. The general lack of bus and other transport services has long been an issue in many parts of rural and regional Victoria, most commonly in small towns where public transport services are typically very limited.
Support Lines
These are difficult and challenging times for all Victorians. If you need assistance, please reach out for support. If you know of someone that needs assistance, please reach out to them.
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Lifeline 13 11 14
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
Headspace 1800 650 890
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2, 27-29 Faithfull Street, Wangaratta
03 4700 1787
tania.maxwell@parliament.vic.gov.au
www.taniamaxwell.com.au
Funded from Parliamentary Budget