Fiona Patten MP | Politician
Fiona Patten MP
Phone: +61 3 9386 4400
Reviews
to load big map
25.01.2022 It's so nice to see a number in the 20s today. Here are some tips to make your home COVIDSafe: Set up a sanitation station with: ... Fresh masks Hand sanitiser Disinfectant & a cloth (or wipes) to clean phones, keys & wallets A container for used face coverings More tips here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au//Are%20you%20and%20your%20home
25.01.2022 Keep going Victoria. The strategy is working.
25.01.2022 Tune in to the Parliament of Victoria Facebook page at 5.00 pm today for a Parliamentary Library Webinar with Professor Trent Munro, that will include Auslan interpreters. Professor Munro is a biotechnology and biopharmaceutical professional and part of the University of Queensland team developing a clinical stage vaccine candidate for COVID-19. Presented in association with Victorian Parliamentarians for STEM of which I am a proud member.
24.01.2022 #WomensHealthWeek: From birthing babies to having orgasms, vulvas & vaginas do some pretty extraordinary things! Take the Jean Hailes for Women's Health quiz to learn more about these amazing body parts & how to best take care of them > https://womenshealthweek.com.au/the-week/monday#monday-quiz
23.01.2022 While the modelling behind the Premier's roadmap out of restrictions has set us pretty high bars to clear I hope he recognises that with the recent improvements to our contact tracing, the pathway forward should be able to evolve as the evidence evolves. I spoke to ABC News Radio yesterday about the restrictions, here's what I had to say.
23.01.2022 #WomensHealthWeek: Tune in from 1pm as Shelley Ware sits down with psychologist and former Olympian Caroline Anderson to talk about loss, letting go and coping with change. Indeed, a poignant topic for 2020!
22.01.2022 LIVE: I'm speaking to Ged Kearney MP about the issues facing aged care and what needs to change in order to make older Australians the focus of the laws and regulations that govern the sector.
22.01.2022 Check out the 'State-by-state of emergency' section in today's #RMITFactCheck, which points out that the debate to extend the State of Emergency was marked with confusion and overlooked the fact that Victoria is the only state that caps the maximum length of time an SoE can remain in force. As Maria O'Sullivan, a senior law lecturer at Monash University, told Fact Check, Victoria's hard limit on the maximum period of a state of emergency provided "accountability and transpare...ncy". "It became a focus of media attention because that required the Parliament to sit and debate it," she said. "But other jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth, are able to extend their state of emergency declaration without such scrutiny because their legislation allows it. "So, they've gone under the radar. They haven't been subject to the same media attention [as Victoria]."
22.01.2022 Today is World Bi Visibility day BIG love to all my Bi friends! For those in lockdown who might not just feel unseen but may be feeling lonely and disconnected from their community it's not too late to share a virtual dinner with our bi+ and multigender attracted family across Australia and New Zealand. BYO (obviously) at 7:30 pm tonight. Just register below https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/celebrate-bisexuality-day-v
20.01.2022 I found last night's Q+A incredibly moving. If you watch anything this week, let it be this.
20.01.2022 If we can put the dIcTaToR dAn dummy spits to one side for a moment and have a rational discussion, there are certainly major problems with the emergency powers omnibus bill. That's why legal experts hate it and not one crossbencher supports it as it stands. It's not due to come before the Legislative Council until next month, so I'm hopeful there is ample time to scrutinise it and allow for amendments that might curtail or remove the extraordinary powers it provides.
20.01.2022 Thanks to RPPFM - Voice of the Peninsula's Brendon and Shivani for having me on today. If you missed it here's what I said.
19.01.2022 This is very welcome news for the live music venues I've been fighting for. I've also suggested to the Minister for Creative Industries that a task force be formed to look at how Victoria can continue to produce world class music and cultural festivals.
19.01.2022 As the review into Victoria's sex work laws enters its final stages this article outlines some of the issues, as well as the opportunities for Victoria to lead the way in designing a model for decriminalisation that meets the needs of the 21st century.
17.01.2022 #HomelessnessInquiry: The Committee continue its online public hearings today, speaking with a number of frontline agencies and service providers responding to homelessness, including Victorian Public Tenants Association, City of Melbourne, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police, Grattan Institute and Victorian Department of Health & Human Services We will be particularly interested to hear how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their important work and to find out what response...s they would like to see going forward. It may be that there are some important lessons to be learned from this disruptive time. Watch LIVE from 10.45 am here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/video-a/live-broadcasting
17.01.2022 On your radio: Looking forward to chatting to Brendon and Shivani on RPPFM - Voice of the Peninsula's lockdown radio just after 12.00 pm. I'll be talking about what more we need to for businesses as we look towards recovery. Listen live at https://rppfm.com.au/ or on 98.7fm.
15.01.2022 Got an idea for an innovative event or project that could help LGBTIQ Victorians connect to each other and experience pride? Apply for a Pride Events and Festivals Fund grant!
14.01.2022 Demand for hemp-based products has grown rapidly in Australia in recent years, however the industrial hemp industry remains in its infancy in Victoria. Last month, the Industrial Hemp Taskforce backed a trial site in Mildura, in order to examine which varieties are most suited to the region's warm and dry climate. I, along with my taskforce co-chairs, are very excited about this partnership with Australian Primary Hemp (APH) and SuniTAFE. We believe the hemp industry has enormous potential to provide new opportunities for farmers, industry and jobs in regional Victoria.
14.01.2022 Thanks Junkee for this great piece about the sex work review.
12.01.2022 Small businesses have been affected immeasurably during this time and our path to recovery must involve the government opening up the cheque book to support them. The third round of the Business Support Fund is now open and this will be a much needed cash injection fo so many businesses right now. To be eligible, businesses must be participants of the JobKeeper program, employ people registered with WorkSafe, and be registered for GST. To find out more and apply, go to: https://www.business.vic.gov.au//b/business-support-fund-3
12.01.2022 Some good news to start your weekend. The Electoral Commission has moved to deregister Clive Palmers United Australia Party.
10.01.2022 No woman or health worker should have to run a gauntlet of abuse just to access a health clinic. South Australia has now joined all other states and territories except for WA in creating safe access zones around abortion clinics.
09.01.2022 The Victorian State Budget: everyone gets a puppy!
09.01.2022 Here are some of the main questions I've been getting about my vote to amend the State of Emergency legislation (minus the mean and 'adult-only' ones). The answers may surprise you!
09.01.2022 There are serious concerns about the The Covid-19 omnibus (emergency measures) and other acts amendment bill 2020 and I wont be supporting it in its current form. Parts of the Bill are worth supporting for public health reasons, but the expanded enforcement powers of police and public services officers is well and truly overreach.
09.01.2022 Just for today, for #RUOkayDay, instead of arguing on social media, I have another idea. Just for today, could we show some kindness to people we care about people we maybe haven't heard from in a while and send them a message to check in? I promise that all the politics and debate and division will still be there this time tomorrow. I PROMISE!... Ask a mate how they're doing and if they say they're not okay, just listen. Ask what's been happening lately to make them feel down and encourage them to take action. Then in a week or two, check back in and ask them how they're tracking. These conversations may be hard and difficult to navigate, but sometimes the simple act of showing that we care can go a long way. Go to https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask if you need more ideas on what to say.
08.01.2022 HAPPENING NOW: Today's Homelessness Inquiry hearing will focus on homelessness in and around Bendigo and Maryborough. There will be panel discussions with representatives from local government, Aboriginal corporations and local service providers including City of Greater Bendigo, Central Goldfields Shire Council, Housing Justice, Ballarat Community Health, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, North Haven; Home, Safe, Bendigo Winter Nig...ht Shelter. The circumstances of and responses to homelessness in regional Victoria are very different to those in metropolitan Melbourne. The panel discussions will build on the evidence we have already collected from other regional centres. Tune in here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/video-a/live-broadcasting
08.01.2022 LIVE: my Bill to outlaw payments for preference deals.
08.01.2022 This morning I wrote to the CHO and the Ministers for Jobs and Health requesting that they consider ways that dance studios in regional Victoria can reopen safely so that children who take dance classes can get back to doing what they love after school.
06.01.2022 Yes! The Government announced an investment in mental health staff. I called for this in my budget submission - I wanted more - but it's a good start. There still needs to be significant investment in the early intervention community services. We need more recurrent funding in the prevention, not just ribbon cutting ceremonies for the treatment centres.... There seems to be a belief that the only jobs that will help the recovery are ones with a hard hat - that is simply not the case. We can create thousands of jobs in the care sector - which is frankly what Victoria needs right now - do we need more roads now that so many of us can work from home? This investment will improve our society and improve our economy, I will continue to advocate for stimulus that improves our wellbeing.
06.01.2022 It's time that 'cash-for-votes' ended. Today I'm introducing a Bill which will make payments for preference harvesting illegal.
06.01.2022 We are beating this.
06.01.2022 My proposed legislation won't 'wipe out' minor parties, it simply ensures they can't buy their way into Parliament. For years, so-called 'preference whisperers' have gamed our voting system and financially benefited from brokering preference deals between minor parties in order to funnel votes only to 'paid-up' candidates. I have always worked with other like-minded minor parties in good-faith to exchange preferences where there is a mutual benefit, and that's the way it should be. Money should not be changing hands during that process so I've introduced a Bill which makes it illegal.
06.01.2022 #NAIDOC: The Uluru Statement is a profound gift which the federal government must embrace on behalf of all of us, as a nation. The time for truth, justice and self-determination is now.
05.01.2022 Today the Premier announced the road map to reopening. The first step for Metropolitan Melbourne begins next Sunday with a slight easing of restrictions allowing people who live by themselves to have a support person visit. The five kilometre rule will not apply to this, but the curfew will. The four reasons to leave home and stay within 5km remain the same until the next step. To find out more about the roadmap, visit https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-ro
05.01.2022 As Helen Clark told us the other week, we can do this as well! Strong arguments here for cannabis legalisation in New Zealand.
04.01.2022 The emergency powers omnibus bill is getting a lot of attention and that's a good thing. Several preeminent Judges and QCs have expressed alarm over designated officers (who aren't police) having powers to arrest anyone suspected of breaching COVID-19 rules without court oversight. Among the group are retired High Court judge Michael McHugh, former Federal Court judge Peter Heerey, QC, and QCs Neil Young, Michael Borsky and Philip Crutchfield.... Their letter states, "We are deeply concerned by the passage of the ... Bill through the Legislative Assembly," Some aspects of the bill are warranted and necessary like courts continuing to operate safely, restricted visits to prison, extending workcover and the like but I will be voting clause by clause and won't vote in favour of the extraordinary powers that are being proposed.
04.01.2022 In Parliament earlier this month I asked the Minister for Small Business to extend the Business Support Fund, until at least the end of the year. Yesterday the government announced a $3 billion program of support including cash grants and tax relief, which I'm sure will be welcome news for small business owners.
03.01.2022 Today I'll be speaking to Ged Kearney MP about the issues facing aged care and what needs to change in order to make older Australians the focus of the laws and regulations that govern the sector. Any questions for us, pop them in the comments or send us a message!
03.01.2022 28 days in a row is a milestone. It's every Victorian who has helped achieve this.
02.01.2022 #EveryTestHelps: After 13 consecutive days of ’s, thank you for staying vigilant, coming forward and getting tested when symptoms present. Thank you also to the front line health and pathology workers who are getting huge numbers of tests turned around very quickly.
02.01.2022 I would defer to the CHO Brett Sutton on this, but if there are no health benefits to the curfew, then it should be lifted. Victorians need to see progress, we need to know that our sacrifices are having an effect.
02.01.2022 This video shows the Covid safe protocols now in place at Parliament, which resumes next week.
01.01.2022 The 14 day rolling average continues to drop well below 30 proving that the tough restrictions we have been enduring are working. No doubt many lives have been saved. Victorians have done the work and now Premier Dan Andrews must open up our economy and our communities safely - and as soon as possible.
01.01.2022 Working from home and needed a caffeine hit and sweet-treat pick me up, so ordered a strong coffee and caramel slice from the team at Brew Culture Carlton. Support your local small businesses!
