THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

WELCOME

It was a full week in Parliament, with five bills debated, the successful referral of the Public Sex Offender Register to Committee for consideration, release of the inquiry report into Spent Convictions, questions, speeches, meetings and more.

We were inundated with submissions from across the region regarding the Births, Deaths and Marriages Amendment Bill. Our concerns around the basis and implementation of this legislation led us to vote against it.

I was delighted to meet with the Victims of Crime Commissioner and look forward to working with her to continue supporting victims.

Enjoy the start of Spring and Happy Father's Day to the loving dads out there.

- Tania

BILLS DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill (Passed)
Professional Engineers Registration Bill 2019 (Passed)
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Amendment Bill 2019 (Passed)
Environment Protection Amendment Bill 2019 (Passed)
Public Holidays Amendment Bill 2019 (Passed)

A STEP CLOSER TO A PUBLIC SEX OFFENDER REGISTER

Our campaign for a Public Sex Offender Register is another step closer with the successful passage of our Party's motion to refer the Public Register to the Legal and Social Issues Committee. The Committee will consider the circumstances in which details of convicted child sex offences can be made public and how, through improved public awareness, Victoria can best prevent sexual offences from occurring.

SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT

Link to video

Question Without Notice - Swan Hill Hospital Funding

I asked the Minister for Health when the community can expect the Government to prioritise funding for a redeveloped or new public hospital at Swan Hill.
Swan Hill Hospital has undergone multiple master planning processes, with many parts of the site no longer fit for purpose.

Adjournment - Tomorrow Today Foundation

In Parliament I spoke of the amazing work of the Tomorrow Today Foundation in Benalla. Since its inception in 2002 this Foundation has very successfully enhanced peoples’ lives throughout the Benalla district by organising and encouraging locals to donate their own time, money and/or professional skills to help their fellow residents across a diversity of fields and projects.

Link to video

Members Statement - Maria Hutchison

It was my sincere pleasure to recently launch the book 'facing maria' on behalf of author Maria Hutchison. Maria’s life has been marked by periods of trauma, abuse, oppression and addiction. From this dark place Maria has emerged as a woman of courage, conviction and inspiration.

Link to video

Constituency Question - Benalla Police Station

I asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services if she could indicate whether and when the Government will fund a rebuild of the Benalla Police Station. The station, built in 1956, is now in near complete disrepair.

Link to video

Victims of Crime Commissioner

We had the pleasure of meeting newly appointed Victims of Crime Commissioner, Fiona McCormack. She was very sympathetic to the needs of victims in navigating courts, VOCAT and support services and we look forward to working with her to continue supporting victims.

JUSTICE FOR KAREN

The depraved killer of Karen Chetcuti-Verbunt will spend the rest of his life behind bars, following denial of his sentencing appeal. There is more work to do in ensuring our community is safe from recidivist violent offenders but this was a step towards justice. My heart goes out to those that love Karen. #ENOUGHISENOUGH

SPENT CONVICTIONS INQUIRY

The first inquiry report of the Legal and Social Issues Committee (of which I am a member) was tabled this week. It was on a ‘spent convictions’ regime for Victoria – and the Government now has six months to respond to the recommendations. Click 'Read more' to access the full report.