Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (18:02): My adjournment matter this evening is for Minister Tierney, and the action I seek—well, it is almost an invitation really, Minister—is for her to accompany me and my Reason coalition colleague, Ali Cupper, the member for Mildura, to SuniTAFE Smart Farm to see how the proposed $10 million investment in the facility will greatly enhance the operations.

I had the pleasure of visiting SuniTAFE Smart Farm last week, and it is located just outside the Mildura CBD. It is 31 hectares, and it is an incredible collaboration between a TAFE and the industries in the area. It is really enticing for students, but there are only five small classrooms there. They are currently relocatable portables, and they have got some shedding and glass propagation houses. But this is a place that is investigating new technologies. We are seeing that one of the first farm robots will be implemented up there. They are using drones. They are doing such incredible work. What they are doing is collaborating so closely with the industry up there about what that industry wants, and because they are using new technologies the students are loving it. They are really enjoying it.

It means that SuniTAFE has been at the forefront of a number of local research projects, which includes a collaboration with one of my pet issues, the Australian Primary Hemp company. It has been interesting to investigate how this really formidable crop can be used in different parts of Victoria. They are at the forefront of this. There are very few trials like this happening in Australia anywhere, and certainly meeting with the farmers there they were looking at this crop and the different ways that they could use it as a rotational crop or even as a cover crop. They also grow almonds, olives, avocados, wine and table grapes, and citrus, and this is all done in consultation with the industry stakeholders.

The action I am seeking is for the minister to visit SuniTAFE, because they do want to expand these operations. They have shown me what they would like to do, and it really would be tremendous for small business and the industry in Mildura, as well as the over 150 students that are already utilising the sustainable, manageable, accessible rural technology, which is the SMART approach. Will the minister tour the facility and meet with the staff to discuss the incredible opportunities the farm provides?

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter 2/2/21

 

 

Answer

 

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan)

My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer.

The action I seek is for the government to immediately invest in toilet and rubbish bins at Edinburgh Gardens.

Edinburgh Gardens has become very popular as my constituents look to flock to have COVID-safe picnics with their friends.

‘COVID safe’ has meant outside. Young people in particular in my electorate love to flock to Edinburgh Gardens to enjoy a few drinks and catch up with their friends.

Edinburgh Gardens, or Eddy Gardens as it’s known locally, is an institution.

However, it needs help. Residents have raised concerns that there are too many young misusing the park. Some residents want the council to ban alcohol consumption in the park.

That would not solve any of the issues.

Eddy Gardens need more toilets and more rubbish bins to meet the increased patronage. This is definitely a council issue, but council believe they do not have enough money to invest in park amenities. I fear the council will take the cheaper route.

If they banned alcohol, we would criminalise a rite of passage to save a couple hundred grand. This is absurd.

We need more outside events to maintain COVID safety. We should celebrate our wonderful parks.

However, it appears our councils need help to facilitate COVID safety.

The government needs to step in and save Edinburgh Gardens. We saw fantastic investment in our parks in the budget through the ‘safer, better parks fund’. This money has already been allocated, so I know we have just announced a massive budget, but we need to dip in again and save this wonderful park. That is why the action I seek is for the government to immediately invest in new toilet blocks and rubbish facilities at Edinburgh Gardens.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter raised 10/12/20

 

 

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (22:48): The adjournment matter that I raise is to the Minister for Corrections, and the action I seek is for the minister to commit to extending the pilot program for the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre disability and complex needs team.

An audit of Victoria’s prisons in 2011 found that 33 per cent—a third—of all females in those prisons had been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury. In October I raised this issue with the minister at the time about the need to have more support for people with acquired brain injuries in our prison system. Since then the government has announced a pilot program to support women with ABIs at Dame Phyllis Frost. This is a small but dedicated team of occupational therapists, disability support workers and national disability insurance scheme access staff. These people do a brilliant job, and they have worked with these women to get the most out of life. I mean, women with ABIs do not belong in prison, but if they are there, it is good that they have some support.

Unfortunately the funding for this program is only for one year. This program should not have to run the gauntlet for recurrent funding every 12 months. If we are going to put people in prison with acquired brain injuries, then we must support them to improve their lives. Not only should this program be extended, but if the need is there it should be extended to Tarrengower Prison in Bendigo so women there can get the support that they need. The action I seek is for the government to commit funding to this program for the next four years to ensure the staff and women involved with the program have some certainty.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter 8/12/20

 

 

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (21:06): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and the action I seek is for the government to immediately rescind the COVID fines for people under the age of 18. We have implemented one of the strictest policing responses to COVID in the world, but unfortunately our policing is often plagued by a lack of transparency, racial bias is not monitored and our fine review system is onerous and difficult to navigate even for lawyers. Many people cannot afford to pay the amounts that we ask, especially children. The calls for this come from an important paper by the Federation of Community Legal Centres, Financial Counselling Victoria and Victoria Legal Aid. Their paper Fairer Fines Outcome for Vulnerable Victorians During COVID-19 and the Recovery Phase gives the example of Sam. Sam, a 16-year-old refugee, experiences mental health issues and sees a trauma counsellor. Sam went for a walk with a friend and was approached by a third party, who started chatting to him. They were socially distancing. The police arrived and Sam tried to explain that he did not know this person, but the language barrier meant this was not clear to the police. They did not give Sam a warning or a direction to move on and instead took his details and sent him an infringement notice in the mail for failing to comply with the COVID-19 directions.

Less than 1000 people of the 19 000 who have been issued fines have paid them. I think it is obvious these fines are an inadequate justice instrument. We gain nothing from giving fines to children. Many children will graduate at 18 and will go straight into the justice system thanks to COVID. We cannot let that happen. So the action I seek is for the government to rescind all COVID-related fines for people under the age of 18.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter 10/11/20

 

 

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (16:23): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and the action I seek relates to online offending. Right now in our society we are experiencing an exponential increase in vile threats, abuse and harassment commissioned online and via social media. We heard last week during the Senate estimates how actor Magda Szubanski has been subject to volumetric and coordinated attacks. I have spoken at length in this place in relation to the experience of female journalists, female sports stars and many others who are getting these extraordinary attacks that not only put them at physical risk but also silence them in these online spheres. From my personal perspective, only this week the Queensland police charged a Queensland man as a result of the threats he made against me on a Facebook video.

For too long we have put these threats made over the internet into a different category to the threats made over the phone or in person. That approach just no longer reflects the way people communicate and interact in our society. Threats made online are just as real as threats made via any other medium, and it is time that they were policed as such. Stalking, threat to kill, threat to cause serious injury and using a carriage service to harass or menace are routinely charged offences that the Victorian police could utilise right now to capture this type of online conduct, and it is time they did.

I am someone who has fought for free speech most of my adult life and certainly for a lot of my career, so I do not take this lightly. I understand the tumble that happens online and I understand that kind of online harassment, but when it comes to the types of threats that are being made—the types of threats that would be treated very differently if they were done over the phone or via a letter, they seem to be treated quite differently when they are done via social media or even email. So the action I seek is that the minister cause a review of the way in which Victoria Police treats, investigates and charges threats, abuse and harassment commissioned online, to better address this type of offending in our community.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter 30/10/20

RESPONSE:

Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine—Minister for Water, Minister for Police and Emergency Services):

Bullying of any kind, including online, has profound effects on the community and on individual victims. I can assure the member that it is taken seriously by the Victorian Government and Victoria Police.

Victoria Police continues to work with partner agencies, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), to investigate and improve the response and capability for instances of cybercrime, including online bullying.

As online offending often transcends state, federal and international jurisdictions, Victoria Police recognises the importance of working with the Victorian community to prevent cybercrime, including online bullying, by increasing awareness and educating the community on preventative measures.

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (18:35): My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer, and the action I am seeking, along with probably many of my colleagues here but also the community, is for the Victorian government to increase IBAC’s funding in the next budget, and the increase needs to be by at least $10 million a year. In 2018–19 IBAC’s funding increased by $1.5 million. Goodness gracious! That is an increase of about 2.5 per cent after inflation. Unfortunately corruption in our community is not increasing with inflation; it is far more exponential than that. We have heard Robert Redlich, QC, the Commissioner of Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, saying that they just do not have the resources to investigate a growing list of tasks. In fact he went on to claim that their recurring funding has not increased since 2012.

No doubt I am not the first person to raise this in this chamber. Somewhat interestingly, in looking back, I note that the former Labor Treasurer, when he was the shadow Treasurer, Mr John Lenders, also asked for urgent reform and funding to IBAC. Of course much of IBAC’s funding was spent later on investigating Mr Lenders, and it will continue to investigate these sorts of rorts. So this is not a bipartisan position, but what we are seeing is that IBAC is getting consumed by this large-scale corruption, whether it is Adem Somyurek or the red shirts or possibly even the Liberal Party may be up on the list next, but this list is going to continue to grow. We know some of the areas where we do need investigation. When we are hearing that 10 per cent of the police believe the police are corrupt and IBAC cannot afford to do the proper investigations into police, we have a problem here. The action, and I think it is a simple action and I think it is an action that should be supported by everyone in this chamber and certainly I know it is supported by the community, is for IBAC’s funding to be increased.

 

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan
Adjournment matter 27/10/22

 

 

 

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (18:15): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health, Mr Foley—and congratulations on his new appointment. The action I seek from the minister is to amend the maternal and child health program standards to remove the requirement for nurses—this is, child health nurses and adolescent health nurses—to be midwives. While I can understand the good intentions, it is creating real barriers for perfectly capable nurses fulfilling those roles that they are more than capable of completing. One nurse who wrote to me said this rationale is completely flawed. Yes, midwives will deal with newborns and there is a potential overlap, but the skills and training are far too removed to be of significant benefit. This is a nurse who has a postgraduate certificate in child and adolescent health care, yet she cannot be a child and adolescent health nurse because she is not a midwife.

Every other jurisdiction has changed this, so Victoria is on its own in insisting that child and adolescent health nurses also be midwives. I know the previous health minister did acknowledge this to say that these nurses could retrain as midwives, but given that we are talking about children and adolescents, I think it would make more sense for Victoria to come into line with the rest of Australia. When you look at the green book on this matter, it really just talks about childhood and adolescent health. The green book is very much like Western Australia’s purple book, which you can see online—again, all of the same sorts of information and requirements for those child and adolescent health nurses—but in Victoria for some strange reason they must also be qualified midwives. So the action that I am seeking is for the health minister to, as I say, amend the maternal and child health program standards to remove the requirement for nurses to be qualified midwives to practise as child and adolescent health nurses in Victoria.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter raised 15/10/20

 

 

Answer

Hon Martin Foley
Minister for Health
Minister for Ambulance Services
Minister for Equality

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan)

My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Mental Health, Mr Foley, and the action I seek is for him to urgently review the amount of rehabilitation beds available to Victorians and commit to ensuring that more beds are brought into the system as soon as is possible.

Victoria’s specialist alcohol and other drug treatment services are overwhelmed.

Forty thousand Victorians currently access treatment services each year, yet there are almost that many waiting for a place.

And whilst there are a spectrum of residential and community treatment options providing first-class, effective services to the people who desperately need them, we need more—more options for counselling, for withdrawal services, for general rehabilitation and pharmacotherapy services and, simply put, more physical beds.

Treatments that are managed by a clinician with specialist expertise in rehabilitation.

Treatments that are goal focused.

Treatments that are person centred.

Treatments that aim to ensure the patient can optimise their independence.

Treatments that are compassionate and work.

I have spent a great deal of time on this issue, and I know that the Labor government and the minister are doing the best job they can with what they have. The opening of a second medically supervised injecting centre was certainly a welcome announcement.

But there needs to be a shift in thinking in terms of the rehabilitation facilities across this state. I know the minister is aware that there is a shortage; I know he is live to the issue.

But how much longer can these people wait?

I am of the understanding that there some organisations preparing some exciting new proposals that feature innovative funding components. Of course, they require the government to stump up some cash for support.

I urge the minster to review the amount of rehabilitation facilities in Victoria and make it a priority for the government to open desperately needed new facilities urgently.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter 16/9/20

 

Answer

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, and the action I seek is that the government review the Retail Leases Act 2003 in consultation with small business tenants and their landlords to find equitable ways for businesses affected by COVID-19 to terminate or renegotiate leases.

My office has been inundated with calls and emails for help from small business owners throughout my electorate. They have been thankful for the government grants and the instructions to landlords to waiver and defer rent, but the reality is that is not enough to ensure the future of their businesses.

The Australian Venues Association advises me that operators are locked into leases that predate the current circumstances and are no longer fit for purpose. They assert that terms, amounts, duration et cetera should all be subject to both market review clauses and early termination clauses, giving tenants the ability to walk away with the preservation of equity in their company if possible and safety from action taken against personal guarantors when not.

Providing the commercial tenant with some leverage would serve to create a scenario where the landlord and tenant can work together towards a mutually beneficial relationship on equitable grounds. It can be a winwin.

The problem many face is that they are at the behest of their landlords. We are in a radically different rental market—what is the use of operating a cafe in a high foot traffic area if there are no people—but many landlords have been unreasonable with their tenants.

Many of the businesses who have contacted my office are going through the mediation process with the small business commissioner, but in the end that won’t save their business. Even when the current restrictions end, many businesses will never get back up on their feet. Those that service international tourists, those that rely on a room packed full of music lovers are not going to be profitable for many months, if not years.

The action I seek is for the minister to review the legislation and enable leases to be subject to market review and small businesses to terminate their lease without losing the shirt of their back.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment 18/8/20

Response:

Ms HORNE (Williamstown—Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Fishing and Boating):

I thank the member for the question. However, this does not fall within my portfolio responsibilities and should be redirected to the Minister for Small Business, The Hon Jaala Pulford.

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan): My adjournment matter tonight is directed to the Attorney-General and regards justices of the peace and bail justices.

The services JPs provide on a volunteer basis are incredibly important to the community, and we must ensure these services continue to be available during this time.

From what I understand, the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Department of Justice and Community Safety have been working together to provide appropriate guidelines and keep JPs well informed during the pandemic.

From the JPs I’ve spoken to in my electorate, a few have been able to move to conducting certain document witnessing and certification services via Zoom—but many have not. It would seem that many JPs are typically older members of the community and have decided to ‘shut up shop’ for the time being, due to the risks associated with COVID.

This likely puts an additional burden on those who are able to offer services online, as well as post offices and pharmacies who are authorised to provide true copy and statutory declaration certifications. Also considering that people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may need a JP who speaks their language, I can foresee a problem if services are stretched thin.

I note that currently on the department’s website, expressions of interest or applications for the volunteer roles of bail justices or justices of the peace are not being accepted at this time.

I have been advised from the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices that they are launching an online learning portal very shortly, but the problem remains that not all JPs will be able to make use of it, because some lack the access to and understanding of technology.

In New South Wales, JP Online is an online portal for prospective JPs and existing JPs to complete a range of tasks all in one place on the NSW justice department’s website. This sounds like a good way to make training and advice readily available, as well as encouraging younger people to become a JP.

As we continue to move all aspects of our lives towards ‘COVID normal’, the action that I seek is for the Attorney-General to investigate ways to improve the online literacy and support for JPs, as well as ways to encourage younger people to become a JP.

Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment 18/8/20