Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (10:07): Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day. As the coroner reported, 500 Victorians died from an overdose in 2020–21, so today my heart goes out to the friends and families of those poor people who died from an overdose. Let us not forget that countless other people—thousands of other people—have overdosed and survived, but quite often with an acquired brain injury and other lifelong disabilities. We can do more. We must do more. The Burnet Institute today put out a release calling on us to decriminalise the use and possession of drugs. We must do this. This...

  Ms PATTEN: I would also like to let members know about another film that is coming to their inboxes very soon, Some Happy Day. It was filmed in St Kilda and directed by another wonderful Victorian, Catherine Hill, and it follows the life of two people sleeping rough in St Kilda. This film has a happy ending, hence its name, so I encourage you to see it. You will also receive an invitation to attend a special showing for MPs coming up in the next few weeks.  

Fiona Patten MP Leader of Reason Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Members statement 18/8/22