Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 7d

This is just the beginning of our advocacy to protect and expand access to abortion care. While recent government announcements make us hopeful that this issue is on the agenda, there is still much more to be done.
Read the report 👉 tinyurl.com/mshjbyku

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 7d

Our report identifies eight key recommendations to help break down some of the barriers that remain. Myself and Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell extend our thanks to the many stakeholders who contributed to this report.

1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 7d

OUT NOW: 'Access in Action: Abortion Care in Victoria' is now live.

With abortion care under renewed threat in Australia and globally, now more than ever we must act on solutions that ensure care is safe, accessible and equitable for all.

1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

👇 Let’s start the conservation and build a future where women don’t have to fight so hard just to be heard.

#SpringSt #WomensHealth

www.eventbrite.com/e/in-convers...

In Conversation: Exploring Women's Health and Cannabis

Let's chat about how cannabis intersects with women's health in our upcoming forum, In Conversation: Exploring Women's Health and Cannabis!

www.eventbrite.com

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

If you’ve had a similar experience or just want to learn more about the realities of women’s health and cannabis, come along to my free forum on women’s health and medicinal cannabis tomorrow in Frankston 💚

1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

We need to break the stigma.

We need to talk about women’s pain – openly, honestly, and without shame.

And we need to keep exploring treatments like medicinal cannabis that can change lives.

1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

Kirstie Baker from the UK shared the same sense of relief.

1 1 1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

I could get through a full day at work without doubling over in agony. I could go for walks, catch up with friends, and actually enjoy things again.

For the first time in years, I felt like myself.

1 1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

Having to prove that my pain was real, that it was worth treating, became its own kind of burden.

When I finally started using medicinal cannabis for my pelvic pain, everything changed.

1 1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

I was told it was “probably stress,” or “just bad cramps.”

I spent hundreds of dollars on GP appointments, painkillers, supplements, and anything I thought might help me get my life back.

It was exhausting – not just physically, but emotionally.

1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 9d

81% of UK women aged 18-24 reported feeling that their pain was dismissed or ignored.

For years, I shared this experience.

I went from doctor to doctor, trying to explain pain I couldn’t quite put into words - the kind that stopped me in my tracks 🧵

#LegaliseIt #SpringSt #Cannabis #WomensHealth

1 1

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 15d

Why do you use c*nnabis? I'm so glad Lisa from Astrid is joining us on the panel for In Conversation: Exploring Women’s Health and C*nnabis event to provide her expert insight 🌱

📅 Wed, 8 Oct 2025 5:30 PM
📍 Frankston CBD
🎟️ Free! Register online at link in bio

#womenshealth #gardening

2

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 20d

It takes a community to keep everyone safe. Let’s start with making Grand Final Day a day of fun – not fear 4/4🧵

If you or someone you know needs support, call 1800RESPECT, available 24/7 💚

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 20d

Last parliament sitting week, I moved a motion of notice in Parliament calling on the Victorian Government to urgently restore the funding they recently cut for the Preventing Violence Through Sports Grants Program 3/4🧵

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 20d

Family Violence spikes dramatically on Grand Final Day.

Victoria Police report domestic violence increases by 20% and support services report a 30-40% increase in calls.

As an MP and advocate, I call upon the Victorian government to do more 2/4🧵

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 20d

Tomorrow is Grand Final Day.

While some Victorians are gearing up for the best day of the year, others are bracing for the worst 1/4🧵

#AFLCatsLions #AFLGrandFinal #GenderBasedViolence #ViolencePrevention #SpringSt

3

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

You can read the updates on advocacy in NSW, alongside patient stories, through the link below 👇
#SpringSt #AusPol
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/medicinal-cannabis-reform-alex-greenwich-nsw-parliament/105754616

2 2

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

It’s a big step forward to see cross-party collaboration in NSW, and I’ll keep pushing for change here in Victoria as we await the results of our medicinal cannabis driving study.

This is what change looks like – patient’s voices being heard. 🚗🌿

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

These simple things become impossible when you can’t drive for weeks, not because you’re a risk on the road, but because you took prescribed medication.

Even NSW Premier Chris Minns admitted that the current approach to medicinal cannabis and driving “need[s] to be looked at”.

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

As Professor Iain McGregor explained, the current saliva and blood tests are a poor measure of impairment.

Testing for impairment would let patients live their lives – whether that’s driving to work, picking up the kids, or doing the grocery shopping.

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

With over 100,000 medicinal cannabis patients in NSW, it’s clear that the impacts of the current legislation are wide-reaching.

Scientists have found that THC can linger in your system for weeks without affecting your ability to drive.

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

That’s why I’m a proud advocate for further reform to medicinal cannabis driving laws in Victoria, and why I want to put a spotlight on the brave voices pushing for reform in NSW.

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

This is a step in the right direction, but medicinal cannabis laws are still imperfect and inconsistent across states.

We need a more definitive solution.

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

In Victoria, we successfully advocated for magistrates to be able to use their discretion not to cancel a driver licence where the driver has a current script and has taken their medication in accordance with their doctors’ advice.

Rachel Payne MP @rachelpaynemp.bsky.social · 21d

Right now, medicinal cannabis patients across Australia risk losing their license for having THC in their system, even when they’re completely unimpaired.