Parliament of Victoria

The Select Committee on the 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid has tabled an interim report on the Victorian Government’s failure to provide documents under Legislative Council Standing Orders.

The inquiry’s second interim report finds the Government has not complied with the process for claiming executive privilege for documents ordered for production by the Upper House on 1 May 2024.

“The Committee sought a series of documents as evidence for its inquiry, however the Government has claimed executive privilege and failed to engage with the process for disputing the validity of those claims,” Committee Chair David Limbrick MP - Libertarian said.

“The Government is in contravention of the Legislative Council Standing Orders by not providing copies of the documents to the Clerk of the House for inspection and assessment of the claims of executive privilege.

“This is impeding the ability of the Committee to undertake its functions as set out in the inquiry’s terms of reference.”

Read the report in full at vicparl.news/3ZjL8BL

A plaque has been unveiled at Parliament House paying respects to the First Peoples of Victoria. The simple yet significant ceremony was conducted by Legislative Assembly Speaker Maree Edwards MP and Legislative Council President Shaun Leane MP.

First Peoples of Victoria honoured at Parliament | Parliament of Victoria A plaque has been unveiled at Parliament House paying respects to the First Peoples of Victoria.

Today's hearing of the inquiry into the collection of data related to people who use family violence in Victoria heard from representatives of Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc and Victoria Police.

Learn more: http://vicparl.news/4fvo4pC

During the week we welcomed members of U3A Melbourne City for a tour and talk about parliament’s history, processes and work.

Free public tours of Parliament House are available weekdays when parliament isn’t sitting.

We can also arrange programs about parliament for community groups. Contact us via email at [email protected] to find out about our community programs.

A bill to increase transparency among providers of funeral services will go to the Legislative Council, after passing the lower house last sitting week.

The Residential Tenancies and Funerals Amendment Bill 2024 will require providers to display a price list for all goods and services on their online business website and in a prominent position at their business premises. Funeral providers will also be required to publish and display a coffin price list in the same place.

Bill paves the way for funeral cost transparency | Parliament of Victoria A bill to increase transparency among providers of funeral services will go to the Legislative Council, after passing the lower house last sitting week.

The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee has been evaluating the effectiveness of efforts to prevent and reduce the harm of to***co use and va**ng.

Go to the website read their final report and to learn more: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/vapeto***coinquiry

Members of the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee paid a visit to the Woolworths Fresh Distribution Centre in Truganina.

The Committee is inquiring into drivers of and solutions for food insecurity in Victoria including its impact on physical and mental health and poverty and hardship.

📸 Rate capping, cost shifting & service delivery discussed in-depth at Traralgon hearing on local government.

Members of the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee are in Gippsland for the inquiry into Victorian council funding and services.

Bass Coast Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council & Latrobe City Council have appeared so far.

Tune in for Rural City of Wangaratta, Wodonga Council, Mansfield Shire Council and others after 2pm: vicparl.news/4eEliOn

Victoria’s horticultural industry has highlighted innovation during a spectacular showcase held at Parliament House.

‘We're introducing technologies that are making working safer and utilising our resources better,’ said Michael Bednarz, CEO of Powerplants Australia, which displayed some of their greenhouse products at the showcase.

Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria organised the event, with participants highlighting the importance of the $2.5 billion horticulture industry to Victoria.

Forward thinking by a growing industry | Parliament of Victoria ‘We're introducing technologies that are making working safer and utilising our resources better,’ said Michael Bednarz, CEO of Powerplants, which displayed some of their greenhouse products at the showcase.

Students from Victoria University, Melbourne Australia gained insights into the diverse work of a parliamentarian when Katherine Copsey (Legislative Council Member for Southern Metropolitan) presented at our latest Parliament in Practice session. These sessions give university students direct access to MPs and senior parliamentary staff, who outline what happens during a sitting week and how parliamentary committees conduct public inquiries.

📺 Watch the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee hearing held as part of its climate resilience inquiry in Traralgon on Tuesday September 3 from 10 am: vicparl.news/3TaqvnI

The Committee will hear from the East Gippsland Shire Council, Bass Coast Shire Council, experts from Federation University Australia, Soilkee, Ryzo, The Middle of Everywhere, Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club - Community Page, Gippsland Climate Change Network , the Wellington Climate Action Network and others.

The inquiry is seeking to understand and address the main risks posed to Victoria's built environment and infrastructure by climate change. The Committee will explore the implications of these risks to Victorians and evaluate the preparedness of the Victorian Government to mitigate and adapt to these challenges.

It will also look into the adequacy of the current Victorian planning system as it relates to climate change impacts and whether further inquiries or investigation may be needed into other aspects of climate change adaptation and climate disaster preparedness in Victoria.

The hearing will run from 10 am to approximately 4:15 pm, be held at the Century Inn Traralgon and be open to the public.

It will also be broadcast live on the Committee’s website.

See the full schedule: vicparl.news/3TaqvnI

At the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria showcase held at Parliament House, people involved in horticulture spoke about the value of the industry for Victoria.

New legislation brought into parliament this week introduces a short stay levy of 7.5% of the total booking fee for short stays of less than 28 days in short stay accommodation.

The definition of short stay accommodation in the bill does not include the principal place of residence of an owner or renter of a premises, commercial residential premises, or certain other defined premises and accommodation.

To access the Short Stay Levy Bill 2024 and the Treasurer’s second reading speech on it go to vicparl.news/billsthisweek. Debate on the bill is due to continue during the next sitting week in September.

Victoria should establish a ni****ne licensing scheme and active regulatory authority to better manage va**ng and to***co products, a report tabled in Parliament today has recommended.

The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee has been evaluating the effectiveness of efforts to prevent and reduce the harm of to***co use and va**ng.

Hear from Committee Chair Sarah Connolly MP:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4cKpKK3JtI

Go to the website to learn more or read the report: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/vapeto***coinquiry

They may have just turned 110, but this supercentenarian is showing no signs of slowing down.

Check out the special celebration at Parliament House for the Australian Red Cross: vicparl.news/RedCross110

▶️ Watch Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee Chair Trung Luu MP - Member For Western Metropolitan Region discuss the report released today on workplace drug testing.

Workplace drug testing changes urged Current legislative and regulatory frameworks around medicinal cannabis in the workplace should be updated to provide more specific guidelines to employers, ...

Legal experts, academics and unions are among those calling for specific workplace surveillance legislation in Victoria to protect employees’ privacy.

While some industry and employer groups agree law reform is required, others argue current laws are effective and do not need amendment.

Read more about the 42 public submissions the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee has received as part of its wide-ranging inquiry.

Public hearings start Tuesday 3 September. 👇

Committee to examine 'patchwork' of workplace surveillance laws | Parliament of Victoria Legal experts, academics and unions are among those calling for specific workplace surveillance legislation in Victoria to protect employees’ privacy.

Current legislative and regulatory frameworks around medicinal cannabis in the workplace should be updated to provide more specific guidelines to employers, a report tabled in the Legislative Council today has recommended.

Read the report: vicparl.news/3WZ9VbH

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee inquired into workplace drug testing in Victoria with a particular focus on medicinal cannabis. It found that while medicinal cannabis has been legal in Victoria since 2016, some workplaces still make a distinction between it and other prescription drugs.

In Victoria, workplace drug testing is neither mandatory nor prohibited. However, the accompanying regulations specify that the mining industry must have alcohol and other drugs (AOD) policies in place that explain when testing is required. Policies are also required by specific legislation governing several other sectors considered to require high safety standards, such as the transport industry.

“WorkSafe currently provides very good advice on workplace drug testing. However, the rapid growth in the amount of medicinal cannabis being prescribed in Victoria since 2016 has created uncertainty in some workplaces. We believe that the existing legislation around workplace drug testing and the advice provided by WorkSafe on medicinal cannabis should be updated to provide more certainty,” said Committee Chair Trung Luu.

The Committee heard that the current legislative and regulatory frameworks covering workplace safety and testing practices may discriminate against employees who have been legally prescribed medicinal cannabis.

“Prescribed medicinal cannabis should be treated the same as any other prescribed medication. The challenge at the moment is that drug testing can only detect the presence of cannabis, but it can’t test for impairment,” Mr Luu said.

“Until we have better testing methods workplace drug testing can’t provide a fair picture of the ability of employees to perform their tasks safely.”

The Committee also recommended that WorkSafe look into how modern testing technologies can be applied to improve drug testing in the workplace.

Our Parliamentary Activity webpage at vicparl.news/activity provides easy access to information about this week's sittings.

Elle Giles and Wendy Todd from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood were at Parliament House today to promote a pop-up blood donor centre coming to the parliamentary precinct in September.

Australia’s blood supply has felt the freeze this winter with the percentage of people cancelling appointments due to cold and flu symptoms the highest it's been in five years.

The drop-off has prompted Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to urgently call for blood donors to help replenish stock.

While 1 in 3 people will need blood, only 1 in 30 donate. Blood donations are critical to Australia’s healthcare system. Donations are used for patients experiencing cancer, anaemia, surgery, trauma and complications during childbirth.

Speaker Maree Edwards MP enjoys engaging with schools to make sure our Parliament is accessible to everyone, including those in regional Victoria. Last week, a visit to Girton Grammar School in Bendigo involved a great discussion with VCE Legal Studies students on the role of parliamentary committees in law making, and how people can most effectively advocate to their elected representatives.

To find out more about Parliament's education resources and programs, go to: vicparl.news/teach

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) governance is set to be updated under a bill before Parliament.

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Assembly last week and will now go to the Legislative Council for consideration.

The VIFM was established in 1985 to provide forensic pathology and scientific services to the State Coroner and the Victorian justice system.

Today it undertakes a range of other work, including overseeing the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, providing training and research to its staff, universities and public agencies, partnering with the Australian Sports Brain Bank to investigate the impact of contact sports on brain disease and researching technology facilitated sexual assault.

In his second reading speech Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said the bill was developed in response to a recent review of the VIFM.

‘This bill introduces principles that aim to guide VIFM in a people-centred approach to service delivery, commitment to excellence in clinical and research governance, and to improving public health while serving the justice system,’ he said.

Follow the link below to continue reading.

Bill proposes forensic medicine governance overhaul | Parliament of Victoria The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Assembly last week and will now go to the Legislative Council for consideration. 

📸 Nine more councils appeared at a public hearing in Bendigo for the inquiry into local government.

The Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee heard from regional & rural municipalities including Buloke Shire Council, Campaspe Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Strathbogie Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council & Indigo Shire Council.

Representatives of Wallaloo and Gre Gre District Alliance , which is a group of farmers, landowners and supporters of small rural communities, based in the Northern Grampians Shire, also spoke to the Committee.

Stay up to date with the inquiry at vicparl.news/lgi

The Legal and Social Issues Committee has been holding hearings on food insecurity in Victoria including on its impact on physical and mental health and poverty and hardship.

See the Committee's website for more http://vicparl.news/3MfGHA8

The Legal and Social Issues Committee has been meeting a range of organisations, including SecondBite, VicHealth and The Salvation Army Australia to learn more about the drivers of - and solutions for - food insecurity in Victoria including its impact on physical and mental health and poverty and hardship.

📺Watch the livestream and tune in tomorrow for more http://vicparl.news/3MfGHA8

📺Watch from Tuesday 9 am to learn more vicparl.news/3MfGHA8

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee is inquiring into drivers of and solutions for food insecurity in Victoria including its impact on physical and mental health and poverty and hardship. The Committee will also consider options available to lower the cost of food and improve access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Hearings will begin on Tuesday August 20 from 9 am.

The Committee will hear from representatives of a range of food rescue charities including Foodbank Victoria, SecondBite, OzHarvest and Eat Up Australia, as well as representatives of students, faith-based organisations and academic experts.

The full schedule of witnesses is available on the Committee’s website: vicparl.news/3MfGHA8

On Wednesday 21 August from 9 am the Committee will hear from local councils, non-profit financial counselling services and individuals who will share their lived experience of food insecurity with the Committee.

Representatives of the major supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths will also give evidence from 1:45 pm.

The Victorian Government, represented by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, will appear from 2.30 pm.

All hearings will be livestreamed on the Committee’s website: vicparl.news/3MfGHA8

The Committee expects to table its report by late November 2024.

Young leaders from the Wyndham City Youth Civic Participation Project this past week made a return visit to Parliament House to see a sitting day, watching Question Time and meeting with their local MPs. Tim Pallas, Sarah Connolly MP, Mathew Hilakari MP and Dylan Wight MP provided insights into their pathways into politics and answered questions about key issues of interest to young people.

We're grateful to all the people at Science Gallery Melbourne, Museums Victoria and Zoos Victoria who collaborated with us on the National Science Week exhibition held at Parliament House that showcased the work being undertaken in Victoria to help species survive and thrive. To watch some short videos with them and read more about their work, go to: vicparl.news/3Ma3vBx

Growling grass frogs, a bearded dragon and even a ‘chickenosaurus’ made their debuts in Parliament this week. All part of our National Science Week exhibition conducted jointly with Museums Victoria, Zoos Victoria and Science Gallery Melbourne.

Rare, threatened and just plain weird: Science Week at Parliament | Parliament of Victoria The trio made their appearances as part of a sustainable species exhibition in celebration of National Science Week.   The exhibition was a collaboration between Zoos Victoria, Melbourne Museum, Science Gallery Melbourne and Parliament of Victoria. It explored what we can learn from the past, do i...