1 April 2026, 5:50 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Allan government and state opposition have failed to protect Victorians needing medical treatments and prescription medications from discrimination.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria had introduced a private members’ bill to the Victorian Parliament that would have made it illegal to discriminate against someone on the grounds of receiving medical treatment or taking a medication prescribed by a doctor.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that, on average, almost 70 per cent of Australians need a prescription from a doctor every six months.
“Sadly, we are not so much surprised, but deeply disappointed by both Labor and Liberal. This was a very simple, meaningful change,” Mr Ettershank said.
“Not only did they not support it, but we didn’t even have a chance to bring it to a vote, because the Government and Opposition ran down the clock for time on this adjournment, making long but often not relevant speeches.
“We know how badly this was needed. This would have protected millions of Victorians from discrimination in the workplace, when accessing services or even applying for housing.”
“Our aim was to stop discrimination against people taking all prescribed and necessary medications and treatments, whether that be antidepressants to sustain your mental health, pain killers to relieve pain, medicinal cannabis to ease the side-effects of chemotherapy, or medications to manage ADHD or any other condition.
“And we wanted to protect people receiving medical treatments such as IVF and chemotherapy. This is just, fair, and vital.
“The government agreed with our Bill but refused to support it because they won’t support private members bills. (The only government in Australia that has this policy.)
“Worse, we have sought from the government an undertaking that if they won’t support a private members’ bill, then instead schedule this important change in the few remaining weeks of this Parliament – but that undertaking has not been forthcoming.”
Fellow MP Rachel Payne said the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission had specifically recommended this amendment to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Victoria) in their submission to the Legislative Council’s 2024 Inquiry.
“This recommendation was unanimously endorsed by all parties on the parliamentary inquiry, and our amendment before the house is true to that recommendation from the Equal Opportunity Commission,” Ms Payne said.
“I mean – come on – being able to take your medication is a fundamental human right, and no one should face discrimination for safeguarding their health with a necessary treatment or prescribed medication.
“The Equal Opportunity Act already makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the grounds of attributes like age, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or marital status – just extend it to ban discrimination against people taking prescribed medication and necessary treatments.”
“This is a disappointing day for anyone who has ever needed a medical treatment or a prescribed medication.”
For more, contact David’s Media Adviser, Christine Tondorf.
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