Cannabis cautioning scheme
David calls for Victoria Police’s cannabis cautioning policy to be formalised in legislation to curb arrests for minor possession.
Aboriginal deaths in custody
Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council | Members Statements13 May 2026 David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan Region): It is 35 years since the release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The royal commission investigated 99 deaths and made 339 recommendations…
Failure and high cost of youth justice
David questions Victoria’s high youth justice costs, rising recidivism and measures to reduce First Nations over‑representation.
Bail laws testing corrections system capacity
David questions Minister for Corrections on the government’s new bail laws causing jail overcrowding, missed hearings, and harsh conditions for remand prisoners.
Youth crime
David asks what the government’s plan is when prisons are at capacity, as a result of Victoria’s punitive bail laws.
Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025
David opposes bail reforms, urges evidence-based justice reform to reduce youth crime and boost community safety.
Criminalisation of youth in care
David asks the Minister for Children about government efforts to reduce the over-criminalisation of young people in residential care.
Wrongs Amendment (Vicarious Liability) Bill 2025
David speaks in support of a bill which seeks to remedy the precedent set by a High Court ruling which denies justice for survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse.
Target Zer0
David speaks about a new initiative which aims to eradicate youth criminalisation and the overrepresentation in the justice system of First Nations, African, Pasifika children and youth and those living in residential care in Brimbank, Melton and Wyndham.
Improving spent convictions scheme
David directs a question to the Attorney General about improving Victoria’s spent convictions scheme, citing recommendations in a review of the legislation.
