Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party has, for some time, been pushing for the type of action that is reflected in this Bill. There is an unmistakable and urgent need for changes to this area of law that better safeguarded emergency workers from assaults, and more effectively prevented the perpetrators of such assaults from avoiding minimum sentences.
My matter, for the Health Minister, is about the general lack of success and enthusiasm of Victorian health officials to curtail illegal tobacco retailing.
The Derryn Hinch's Justice Party did not support this bill, as evidence and argument left us concerned about the practical impacts of the establishment of a new regime under which lawyers can charge contingency fees.
My question is to the Health Minister, Ms Mikakos. Billions of dollars of unscheduled expenditure is being spent in the health portfolio, can she now tell us how COVID-19 expenditure pressures have altered the Government’s overall future spending priorities (and savings priorities) in the Health portfolio for the remainder of the two-and-a-half years of this term of Parliament?
My question is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Constituents within a Wangaratta retirement village are asking for reassurance that there will not be changes to the application of the exit entitlements regulation for departing residents.
Congratulations to Sue Mills from Bendigo East, who has been named 2020’s exceptional woman in Victorian resources.
I call 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.
With no warning, the Liberal Party sprung a surprise motion on the Parliament at 9.28am on Thursday for debate (just two minutes later!) at 9.30am. The Liberal Party had multiple opportunities throughout the week, as well as previous weeks and months, to raise this matter for discussion and consideration, and they did not do so. In speaking to the motion, I suggested that, if extra sitting days are needed, they could be scheduled throughout August to December and this would not conflict with existing schedules.
