Standing committee on legal and social issues
May 7, 2015
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — I speak in support of the motion. In the few short months since my election to this place I did not imagine that I would be standing in this place in agreeance with Dr Carling Jenkins and Mr Finn, although I am probably not in total agreeance. But this goes to the basis of this motion, which is that in this place we probably agree on end of life decisions 80 per cent of the time. We want people to have that autonomy and not suffer at end of life. We want people to be...
Voluntary Euthanasia
Apr 15, 2015
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — I rise to speak in support of Ms Hartland’s motion to refer the matter of voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill people to the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) for inquiry, consideration and report. I have enjoyed listening to the speakers so far, and I am looking forward to hearing more. I went to the last election supporting a parliamentary inquiry and reform on voluntary euthanasia. I think I sit in this place as a result of that campaign and that support for it. I believe in the right of a terminally ill individual to make an informed decision...
Summary Offences Amendment (Move-on Laws) Bill 2015
Mar 17, 2015
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — I am very pleased to speak on the Summary Offences Amendment (Move-on Laws) Bill 2015. I will be supporting the bill, which repeals laws that are not only essentially discriminatory but also create greater social exclusion. In its few short years the Australian Sex Party has always fought for freedom of movement, freedom of assembly and most importantly freedom of expression.
As a newly elected member this is one of the few bills that I have read and will now speak on. As I read it, I was struck by the fact that the bill contravenes articles 9, 15,...
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — I would like to speak briefly on this bill, the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Funding of Non Government Schools) Bill 2014. This bill provides a formula to ensure that nongovernment schools receive at least 25 per cent of recurrent education funding. It is at this point that I have a problem with this bill. If we are looking at an equitable and fair system for our education funding, I do not think that providing a blanket flat rate for any nongovernment school answers that.
I certainly believe in education and agree with the minister when he said in...
Fiona Patten Inaugural Speech
Feb 11, 2015
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — President, I congratulate you on your re-election. It is a role I know you will continue to discharge with the fairness and professionalism you have shown in the past.
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we stand on today, the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to their elders, both past and present.
From Brunswick to Broadmeadows and Carlton to Craigieburn, I cannot believe how lucky I am to be representing the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria. It is as diverse a region as you will find anywhere in Australia and a melting pot for...