MS Patten — To ask the Minister for Training and Skills (for the Minister for Police): In relation to raids on suspicion of selling drug-related paraphernalia in the 2014-15 period — (a)    how many charges were laid for the offence of supplying under section 80W of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981; (b)    how many of those charges resulted in convictions. ANSWER: I am informed that: I refer to my response provided to Questions 5284 to 5291. Searches of properties must only be conducted in accordance with the Victoria Police operational policy. Victoria Police advises that no searches of properties were undertaken on suspicion of selling drug-related...

Ms Patten  (Northern Metropolitan) — My question concerns the recent riots in Coburg and is directed to the Minister for Police in the other place. On the Monday after the riots I went to the wonderfully diverse Coburg shopping precinct to talk to traders forced to close down their businesses after radicals and racists decided to spend a Saturday storming the streets with their message of hate. I believe in and strongly advocate for the right to protest, but spreading violence and harm is not a protected activity. However, I was concerned to hear the police minister suggest a ban on masks in...

Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is for the Minister for Health, represented by Minister Mikakos. Yesterday the government introduced a bill to regulate the sale, promotion and use of e-cigarette products. Health minister Jill Hennessy has said that by bringing e-cigarettes into line with all tobacco products, the government is taking action to protect children from potential harm. Yet e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco or even nicotine. In fact unlike every other country in the world, the supply, possession or use of e-cigarettes that contain nicotine is illegal in Victoria. This is not about protecting children by restricting a product that the...

Ms Patten(Northern Metropolitan) — My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Last week it was really great to read that the Victoria Street Business Association had finally declared its support for safe injecting facilities. Since our inception the Australian Sex Party has been advocating for the implementation of such facilities, especially in Richmond, based on the evidence that they are an incredibly effective and proven harm reduction measure. We have seen increased law enforcement, and turning a blind eye to the issue has led to nothing except for drug-related harm and deaths in the area as well as dangers not only...

Ms Patten(Northern Metropolitan) — My question is to the Honourable Steve Herbert, representing our new Minister for Police. Recent reports by the ABC and other news outlets suggest that Victoria Police has purchased long-range acoustic devices (LRADs), or sound weapons. They can be used as tools for long-range communication but have also been used as weapons for crowd control. The devices were used against protesters in Pittsburgh, USA, during the G20 summit, leaving one protester with permanent hearing damage. The use policy for these weapons is not publicly available through the Victoria Police manual, and news outlets have reported being denied permission to see...

Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. A mother in my region recently approached me to express her frustration about the lack of information about the upcoming medicinal cannabis program for children like hers with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. Parents want to know the details of what the government is producing. Currently children in Victoria are using very specific strains and have been doing so successfully for many years. They want to know what strains the government is now growing; whether the seeds are genetically modified; the ratio of cannabinoids, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol...

My question is to the Special Minister of State Mr Jennings. Yesterday it was revealed that a Chinese based company - China Security and Surveillance Technology (CSST) - will purchase the Melbourne security firm Securecorp - for $157.5 million dollars. Securecorp has contracts for the MCG, Phillip Island Grand Prix, Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne Museum, Monash and Victoria Universities, and defence sites. It also has a presence throughout Melbourne CBD, providing patrols as well operating CCTV security for the City of Melbourne. CSST is owned by Mr Goshen Tu described by the Chinese Press as a "mysterious figure" with links to the government...

Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is for the Minister for Agriculture, Ms Pulford, representing the Minister for Public Transport. Today the Federation of Community Legal Centres, together with Julian Burnside, QC, launched the Fare Go — Myki, Transport Poverty and Access to Education in Melbourne's West. The report examined experiences of public transport travel, fares and infringements for young people between the ages of 14 and 17 travelling to and from school. The report found that school travel on the Victorian public transport system is too expensive for many students. For young people between 14 and 17 in particular, public transport is proving at times...

Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My constituency question is for the Acting Minister for Police, Robin Scott, in the other place. We have just celebrated International Women's Day, and yet we are providing lip-service rather than actual protection for women and staff seeking to access health services at their place of work. The East Melbourne Clinic is within my electorate, and people there are still facing the same harassment that they did last year. They want to know why, as do the many constituents living nearby. We understand the need for clarity, legal confidence and training. Safe access zones will almost certainly be subject to...

Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is to the Minister for Education, represented by Minister Herbert. Safe schools is an extremely worthwhile program that aims to stamp out homophobia and related bullying in schools but has recently been the subject of some outrageous and bigoted comments from members of this house. Clearly some members have a complete lack of understanding about the issues that some young people face when it comes to gender identity and sexuality. The Andrews government allocated an extra million dollars to the Safe Schools program in the recent budget, claiming that it would help expand Safe Schools into every Victorian...