Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Bill 2021.

This new administrative mechanism, in addition to other amendments, will reduce this pile-up and enable our Courts to get back on track. 

Constituent Question – Scammers

Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:42): My constituency question is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

A member of our electorate, Faye, is concerned about the increasing prevalence of scams she is seeing in her community. I have to say I share these concerns. Since the onset of the pandemic we have seen a huge of increase in the number of scams occurring. Many are pretending to be the tax office, others are pretending to allow early access to superannuation and we have even seen scammers pretending to be contact tracers. In my electorate, scammers have been increasingly detail oriented, going as far as to say they are representing the City of Boroondara and asking individuals to answer surveys. These scammers are preying on the financial vulnerability and the uncertainty felt by many due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The information I seek is: what can the government do to find and put a stop to this increasing prevalence of scammers who are causing undue stress and anxiety in my community?

Constituent Question – Scammers

No Description

Reply from Minister Melissa Horne 12th April 2021

Scams are a blight on our community and the Government shares the concerns raised by the Member and his constituent. Scams are designed to deceive people, generally for the purpose of stealing money or personal details. Anyone can fall for a scam, as scammers are getting smarter and using more sophisticated tricks to dupe thousands of Victorians every year. As many scammers are based overseas, they are very hard to track and are outside of our jurisdiction.

However, wherever there is scope or opportunity to disrupt scam activity, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) works closely with other Victorian law enforcement agencies as well as the national Scams Awareness Network, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and other Australian Consumer Law regulators, to do so.

Educating people about how to avoid scams and warning them of new and emerging scams is the best way to empower Victorians and stop the scammers.CAV has a number of resources available to educate the community on scams, including quizzes and informative videos. These resources are available in 30 languages on the CAV website.
CAV also provides timely warnings and information about scams on Facebook and Twitter. It alerts Victorians when particular scams are identified, so it is important Victorians notify CAV of suspicious activity as soon as possible so we can warn others.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, CAV alerted Victorians about the potential for scammers to take advantage of public fear and confusion. CAV cautioned the public about fake messages offering immediate government payments and early access to superannuation payments.

The Government will continue to work closely with partners to identify, disrupt and prevent scams wherever it can and to educate and support Victorians to avoid scams.

Spent Convictions Bill 2020

Victoria Police will continue to have full access to a person’s entire criminal history regardless of an adult or child being found guilty without conviction.

Planning & Environment Amendment Bill 2021

This bill is vital in maintaining what makes our communities so special, our heritage.

Seniors Mental Health Services

A lot of people have been struggling due to the lockdown, financial struggles and pandemic anxiety. However, the resources and funding provided to address these issues have failed to effectively address the mental health of our senior population.

Hazelwood and Yallourn Power Stations

I look forward to hopefully seeing the inquiry exploring how we can get the best support for workers and regional communities as power stations close

Question – Safety Concerns

Ensuring Victorian safety must be the regulator’s number one priority!

Members Statement – Hungry Panda

Rod rose to congratulate the Hungry Panda riders who have had a historic win for gig economy workers in Australia.

Constitution Amendment (Fracking Ban ) Bill 2020

Protecting the rights of Victorians to clean water, protecting the environment and our health are all good reasons why we should pass this bill.

Constituent Question – Knox Festival

Small market vendors are entrepreneurs and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.

Question – What is the regulator doing about illegal operators?

There has been little enforcement of this legislation as reports of individuals advertising their services on Airtasker and Gumtree are still being ignored.

Inquiry into Homelessness in Victoria – Report

I hope that the government takes this report seriously and uses this opportunity to improve the lives of vulnerable Victorians.

Small Business Support – Motion #507

There needs to be financial support for the loss of income that the lockdowns have incurred. Small business is suffering.

Family Violence Animal Welfare – Motion #302

Companion animals and domestic violence are inherently linked. Our legislation, organisations and service delivery should reflect that fact.

Question – Who is Responsible?

If Uber will not be responsible for the actions of its drivers, will the government take responsibility to protect those passengers who could be using its service?

Big Housing Build – Opposition Motion #505

I have no doubt that this housing will reduce suffering in our community as well as provide individuals with the support they need so they can start to look after themselves.

Members Statement

This case regarded the right of Uber drivers to be paid the national minimum wage, to receive paid annual leave and to benefit from other protections under UK law.

Public Health & Wellbeing Amendment (State of Emergency Extension ) Bill 2021

I have come to this place to judge each bill on its merit, to be fair and to be true to my own values. I did not vote for the state-of-emergency extension the first time, and I will not be voting for it today.

Summary Offences Amendment (Decriminalisation of Public Drunkenness) Bill 2020

I ask the government to be cautious, to be practical and to think about the safety for not only those intoxicated but those affected by the actions of those individuals

Constituent Question- Montmorency Station

Will the minister release the justification for the Montmorency station plans as well as the environmental assessment and the record of community consultation?

Members Statement – Hungry Panda

‘I want to share my support for those who continue to fight for the rights of workers in the gig economy.’

Motion – The Impact of Covid-19 on the Tourism and Events Sector

We have got to get this industry stable, because the flow-on effect is enormous.

Motion – Multi-Purpose Taxi Program safety

I would like the Minister for Public Transport to reflect on what has been said here today. Pause this program. We are not saying stop it. We are saying pause the program, let us do this properly, let us do the inquiry and we may be able to knock it out much quicker, but we have got to do what is fair…

Adjournment – CPVV threats of fines for non-compliance

Will the government instruct the CPVV to cease its threats to operators of fines for non-compliance until there is further clarity on this matter?

Question – What is the justification for the CPVVs requests for data?

So I ask the minister: what is the justification supporting CPVV’s demands for this quantity and type of data from booking service providers in the commercial passenger vehicle industry?