Here are my latest updates from Parliament and around the Brunswick electorate (Brunswick, Brunswick East, Brunswick West, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill & Carlton North).
In this month’s newsletter:
- Brunswick Treaty Forum
- Bail “Reforms”
- Maintaining Our Public Schools
- Have Your Say on Victoria’s Climate Strategy!
- Last Chance to Make a Submission on Labor’s Plan to Demolish Victoria’s Public Housing Towers
Missed the last newsletter? You can find it here if you’d like to read about taxing the big banks, getting smart on crime, the Greens’ plan for 50-cent public transport fares, and more!
Brunswick Treaty Forum
Later this year, I hope we’ll hear the results of the treaty negotiations between the First People’s Assembly and the Victorian Government.
Whatever is announced will enter history, and be compared with the blankets, tomahawks, clothes and flour presented as part of Batman’s 1835 “treaty”, which was really anything but. So it needs to be good enough to stand the test of time. And it needs to be announced before the next state election.
A couple of weeks ago over 100 people crowded into a hall in North Fitzroy to hear Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray from the First Peoples Assembly for an update on the treaty negotiations, hosted by myself and Richmond MP, Gabrielle De Vietri.
While Ngarra and Rueben could not divulge the content of negotiations, they were upbeat about the process which is overseen by a Treaty Authority, leaving me and I think most people in the room hopeful about what we might be about to hear.
Thanks to Uncle Andrew Gardiner for his Welcome to Country, to Haus of Dizzy for a vibrant jewellery stall, and to First Nations artist, @studiote.a for the artwork. Afterwards, the room was buzzing with great discussions, covering everything from the negotiators involved to what a Treaty might achieve and how to lend your support.
It was a privilege to be part of this strong community momentum on our shared journey to Treaty.
A big thank you to the First Peoples’ Assembly and everyone who joined us.
Bail “Reforms”
Panicked by a tough-on-crime campaign launched by the Herald Sun and adopted by the state Liberal party, the Victorian Labor Government reversed many recent reforms to the state’s bail law.
The legislation was rushed through parliament in a single week, concluding in the early hours of Friday morning.
This hasty political response was condemned by 93 organisations, including those representing Aboriginal communities, human rights groups, and legal advocates.
So what’s changed? The “reforms” will:
- Mean courts are no longer required to use prison as a last resort for children, contrary to Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Expand harsh bail tests that presume bail will be denied – incompatible with the right to liberty under Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights.
- Reinstate two bail offences that carry prison sentences for minor offences, which were removed last year after Veronica Nelson’s family and the inquest raised concerns.
This will worsen the over-imprisonment of First Nations people, particularly women and children, and mean Victorian prisons will hold more unsentenced people waiting for their court appearance.
The danger with pushing more people into prison, especially young people, is that reoffending rates may rise when they are released. The changes may well have the opposite effect to that which the government intends and make the community less safe.We need to focus on evidence-based policies that promote safety and human rights, rather than rolling back protections for vulnerable communities.
Maintaining our Public Schools
Brunswick is home to many beautiful, historic public school buildings, some over 100 years old. These schools are part of our community’s history, and many of us have personal ties to them, my own children attended one.
Over the years, I’ve visited local schools in my electorate, and it’s clear that many are facing similar issues, leaking roofs, rotting window frames, peeling paint, and cracks in the walls. These problems often require expensive scaffolding and sometimes even force classrooms to close, putting students and staff at risk.
I’ve raised this with the state Labor government many times, but the issues persist. It’s wrong that parents are fundraising to repair schools.
The money allocated for maintenance is barely enough for a coat of paint. Meanwhile, we see money spent on events, road projects, and a new prison.
In the Education State, it’s time to put our students first and invest in our schools, ensuring these historic buildings continue serving generations of learners.
Watch me speak about this in Parliament
Have your say on Victoria’s Climate Strategy!
The Victorian Government is developing its second Climate Change Strategy, building on the progress of the 2021-25 plan. This new strategy will chart the path for reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience over the next five years.
The opportunity for feedback is open now on the Engage Victoria website and closes Tuesday, April 8th.
You can have your say in two ways:
Fill out a quick survey to share what matters most to you when it comes to tackling climate change, like whether we should be banning new coal and gas projects.
Or, you can submit a written response, either as a PDF or Word Doc.
Let’s make it clear to the government that we want to see real, meaningful action in this climate plan.
Last Chance to Make a Submission on Labor’s Plan to Demolish Victoria’s Public Housing Towers
The inquiry into Labor’s plan to demolish 44 public housing towers closes today. This is your last chance to have a say by writing a submission.
The inquiry will review the rationale, costs, alternatives, and impact on residents. Check out this summary on my Instagram.
Demolishing 7,000 homes and displacing 10,000 people won’t solve the housing crisis or help the 100,000+ on the waitlist.
As the deadline approaches, it’s crucial to support public housing residents. Whether submitting or sharing your story, make your voice heard.
What’s on in the neighbourhood
What’s on in the neighbourhood If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may have noticed that I regularly post events and opportunities that are happening in the Brunswick area. Here’s my most recent post where you can find out about events and opportunities including film screenings, open mics, school holiday programs, comedy shows, and more, and you can always email me to suggest other events and opportunities you’d like me to share. Thanks for getting this far! Remember, if there’s anything you want to raise with me, you can always get in touch with my office on [email protected] or (03) 9384 1241.
Until next time,
Tim
