Today we gathered for International Workers Memorial Day to remember the 55 workers who died at work or as a result of work over the last year.

It was heartbreaking to think about the devastation their families and communities have endured after their loved ones didn’t return from work.

The safety of workers is all of our business. There is more that we can do to protect workers from harm, including more work needed by governments.

Thanks to Victorian Trades Hall for a moving ceremony and all the work you do to keep workers safe. ...

26. That’s the number of women who have been killed by gendered violence this year alone across the country. That’s 1 woman dead every 4 days.

This week we mourn the deaths of Molly Ticehurst and Emma Bates and send our love to their families and communities in this terrible time.

We can’t wait until the death toll reaches 1 woman killed every day before taking action.

And there are things we can do now.

This week we’ve heard politicians call for action but stop short of committing to the work they are responsible for. We need to demand they act or things will continue to get worse.

Family and gendered violence is at its core based in gender inequality and attitudes towards women. Disrespectful and violent relationships thrive in silence, fear and shame. It’s pervasive and impacts us all.

In Victoria, we’ve had a groundbreaking Royal Commission into family violence and some very significant reforms as a result. We applaud the Victorian Government for spearheading this work at a political level. But 8 years after that investigation, it is clear more needs to be done.

The Premier has suggested some changes to sentencing and policing in response to more horrific deaths this week, but we must be careful not to let policing come at the cost of prevention. It’s an easy go-to response for some politicians but it hasn’t worked in isolation.

We know what can reduce violence against women-the Royal Commission was clear. We need to fund and commit to these measures.

In Victoria, the family sector has been crying out for more support and funding. There are things Premier Allan can do right now to respond to the crisis - for a start, fund support services properly and build more public housing because women can’t leave refuges for months on end because there are not enough homes to go to.

If any politician wants to be taken seriously on addressing the family violence crisis, they need to commit to these asks from the sector and more.

No more hand-wringing.

Premier Allan, please act now. ...

Today especially as the nation marks Anzac Day, we reflect and remember the lives lost and sacrifices suffered because of war.

As its horrors are felt by millions across the world right now, especially in Gaza and Ukraine, we must never forget the civilians lives too.

War changes everyone. And it is a fundamental failure of our humanity.

Peace is not a radical concept, and those who pursue its mission should not be derided.

Many of those who served in wars became the strongest advocates for peace.

We will remember them.

Artwork by @katie_oshea_design ...

Congratulations @elleninmelbourne on becoming the new leader of the @victoriangreens!

I’ve had the privilege of working with Ellen for nearly a decade in the Greens and over 6 years in state parliament. She is courageous, determined and is a visionary. She is not afraid to stare down the fossil fuel giants, logging companies and big corporations, and I know she will achieve big things with this united, inspired team of MPs.

Our new leadership team is powerful, driven by outcomes and will grow the Greens in Victoria.

It has been the honour of my life to work with this team and lead the parliamentary Greens for nearly 7 years.

Over that time, we have doubled our party room and taken the fight on climate, housing and cost of living inequality up to Labor and the Liberals, pushing them to do better.

We have amplified the voices of the community inside and outside of the parliament and always kept people and the planet at the heart of everything we do.

I know that Ellen and the team will continue this work with passion and determination. I can’t wait to see what they achieve!

I will be continuing in the Parliament as member for Northern Metropolitan, serving the community until the party chooses my replacement. After which I am looking forward to helping turn the federal seat of Wills Green for the very first time 💚 ...

Year after year, report after report, it’s clear the housing crisis is only getting worse.

Today Anglicare’s rental affordability report squarely puts this on Labor’s doorstep.

Governments need to act. We’ve now gotten to the point where there are basically zero affordable homes.

What can we do? Freeze rent increases. Build more public homes.

#rentalcrisis #renting #housing #rentfreezenow ...

It’s been a big week!

Thanks everyone for the love and support you’ve sent over the last few days especially 💚

It was a fitting end to a big few days to attend the 4th Tamil Pengal in Australia new year celebrations surrounded by incredible Tamil women changing the world in so many incredible ways.

I’ve been lucky to have had strong and determined women in my own family and community role-model what it was to challenge the status quo and assert their power - sometimes without even being aware of how significant their actions were.

My grandma (Archie) used to recount the sit-in protests she led when conflict and war descended into Sri Lanka’s north. My mother was determined to find peace for her children and led our migration across the world. And I now get the privilege of meeting with many in the Tamil diaspora community here continuing that tradition of leadership.

Thank you @tamilpengalinaustralia for a lovely afternoon showcasing the achievements of women and our Tamil community more broadly.

We have so much to be proud of and I am very proud to be a part of this resilient and determined community✊🏾 ...

Our campaign to win Wills is going to be HUGE. The major parties might have their dirty coal and gas donors, but we have something much stronger – people power.

The Greens strength is our huge movement of volunteers, transforming politics by connecting with our neighbours and understanding the issues they care about.

We’re kicking off our campaign for Wills on Saturday 4th of May with a HUGE doorknock & BBQ, can you make it?

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering with the Greens, now is the time! Sign up via the link in my bio to find out more.

When we come together, there is nothing we can’t achieve. #LetsWinWills ...

It has been a privilege to serve as your Victorian Greens leader for nearly 7 years. I am so proud of the incredible wins we’ve had with the community. 

Together with my state Greens colleagues, we’ve secured the balance of power in the Victorian parliament, and have pushed Labor further and faster on climate, housing and integrity reform, freed up thousands of homes for renters, helped end native forest logging and secured the first inquiry into the threat of far right extremism.

The Victorian Greens team is talented, united, and poised for historic success, and I know that they will continue to hold Labor to account and get action on the housing, climate and cost of living crises. ...

For over a decade, I have represented our community on council, as the mayor of Merri-bek, and in state parliament as Leader of the Victorian Greens. I’m honoured to be the Greens candidate for Wills 💚

If you’re worried about the cost of rent, mortgages or food and you think the Labor government is failing to act, you’re not alone. Our community in Wills should be represented by someone who shares our values, not a politician who is reliant on corporate donations and won’t act on the things that matter.

If you live in Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner & surrounds, you have one of the most powerful votes in the nation. 

We can win here - we need just 1 in 10 people to change their vote to turn this seat Green. I hope you’ll join me on the campaign 💚

www.greensforwills.com ...

Greetings from Echuca!

Looking forward to the regional sitting of parliament. Northern Victoria’s sunshine is extra glorious today☀️ ...