Latest from Stuart

Member for Western Victoria, Stuart Grimley MP, is asking the community for suggestions for his monthly Pollie Pay Rise.

When the original Pollie Pay Rise was first announced Mr Grimley decided to donate his increase to in need Western Victorian community organisations.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party is extremely disappointed and frustrated that Parliament has once again been adjourned.

We made our views known last sitting week when we voted down the government’s motion to defer Parliament and supported changes to allow all MPs to participate in a COVID-safe way.

Read the Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission stalking inquiry.

Continuing during Homelessness Week, Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley is seeking clarification from the Victorian Government on the barriers Western Victoria’s councils experience when accessing funds from Victoria’s $5bn Big Housing Build (BHB).

Reports of a teenage girl being grabbed and dragged toward a car while waiting for a bus in Frankston is absolutely sickening. Thankfully, there was a Good Samaritan who witnessed this heinous attack and stopped the perpetrator from taking this girl.

State leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP has asked the State Government to commit to and implement the final recommendation of the 2017 Open Courts Act Review (commonly referred to as the “Vincent Review”), undertaken by Victorian Court of Appeal Judge Frank Vincent.

Western Victorian MP Stuart Grimley is calling for Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, to meet with communities along the Nhill-Ararat rail line.

It is fantastic news to see the government finally beginning to fund initiatives to fix the housing crisis in regional Victoria. Many of these areas have been struggling for years to build new housing developments.

State leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP is embarking on a regional tour of the Western Victoria region to visit local councils and community groups to listen to their concerns.

Read this great article in the Ararat Advocate

State leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley is calling on the Government to get serious about reducing recidivism in repeat offenders who have alcohol and other drugs (AOD) as a core component of their offending.

Member for the Western Victorian region, Stuart Grimley MP has asked the State Government to take leadership on the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP) currently being planned and eventually built by AusNet.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party MPs Stuart Grimley and Tania Maxwell are calling on the Attorney-General to meet with the Cross Border Commissioner to discuss a loophole that is providing inconsistencies in the state’s bail laws.

Western Victorian MP Stuart Grimley has thrown his support behind new government legislation that allows schools to ban abusive adults from the school grounds, but he says more must be done to protect teachers from violent students.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party parliamentarians Stuart Grimley and Tania Maxwell have pressed Acting Premier James Merlino to keep places without COVID cases out of future lockdowns.

State leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley has called on the government to fix the discrepancy between Community Corrections Orders and Men’s Behaviour Change programs, and to address the wait times for Men’s Behaviour Change programs by funding them properly.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP, has welcomed the announcement of funding for key projects and programs that he has advocated for in Parliament.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party (DHJP) has welcomed the announcement of a new Victims Legal Service (VLS) in the 2021/2022 Budget, a long-standing proposal of the Party.

Member for Western Victoria, Stuart Grimley MP has asked the government to address the housing shortage crisis in Western Victoria. This comes as only seven councils in the Western Victoria Region – out of 24 – have been allocated a minimum commitment of the Big Housing Build Program.

Western Victorian MP Stuart Grimley has today asked the Minister for Transport and Transport Infrastructure to fund the Murray Basin Freight Rail Project’s business case to standardise the network. This comes as the Federal Government has already committed the $5 million for further planning of the project, which they’ve asked the State Government to match.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Stuart Grimley has asked the Government when Geelong Magistrates Court will begin construction on its specialist family violence court.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Stuart Grimley will today introduce a Bill to the Legislative Council of Victorian Parliament to change the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (VAD Act).

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Stuart Grimley has urged the Victorian Government to introduce online grooming, online consent and physical consent education into the Victorian school curriculum.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Stuart Grimley has today spoken out about the unacceptable sentencing of Melbourne truck driver Mohinder Singh, reigniting his call for cumulative sentencing to be used where there are deaths including murder, manslaughter and in this case, culpable driving.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party MPs Stuart Grimley and Tania Maxwell are urging the public to make a submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission as it considers the grab and drag proposal. The urgent call comes after it was revealed less than 5% of offenders charged with ‘assault with the intent to commit a sexual offence’ were convicted.

The distressing footage of Jackson Williams grabbing and dragging a Melbourne nurse into a laneway on her way home from work has sparked this Issues Paper and shed light on what many perceive to be a loophole in Victorian law.

Western Victorian MP Stuart Grimley is urging the government to reinstate the Fixing Country Roads Program, which provides $1 million to each rural and regional Council to fund road upgrades that were outside basic road maintenance.

Member for Western Victoria, Stuart Grimley MP is lobbying the State Government to do more to fix the short-term sheep shearer shortage in regional Victoria. The recent announcement of nine people completing a training and assessing course to teach new sheep shearers is a great long-term solution, but won’t solve the crisis that is happening now.

Member for Western Victoria and State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP, has been dropped from a plane as a part of the “Drop-a-Cop” event to fight PTSD in Victoria Police. As a former police officer Mr Grimley was more than happy to participate in this important campaign.

Western Victorian MP Stuart Grimley has welcomed the federal government’s announcement of support for Alcoa’s smelter in Portland. The electricity supply deal has been struck today, ensuring 600 jobs will be saved for at least the next five years.

State leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP is calling on the government to install real-time warning signs at high risk boat ramps in Victoria. These signs will provide vital information to help boaters to understand conditions on the water.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley, has asked the Minister for Health, the Hon Martin Foley, for funding for an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Specialist at Colac Area Health.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP has reiterated his support for the LOUD Fence movement. LOUD Fence is a movement where ribbons are tied to fences – usually at places where abuse has taken place – to show support and solidarity to all survivors of child sexual abuse.

State leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP has raised concerns in Parliament regarding the number of assaults against staff in Victorian prisons, specifically in the Banksia Unit at maximum security facility Barwon Prison.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP has congratulated the Government on introducing a presumptive compensation scheme for all workers, almost two years after he raised this matter in the Legislative Council through a motion, which passed the House unanimously.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party State Leader, Stuart Grimley MP has had enough of the continual setbacks and cost blowouts to the West Gate Tunnel Project.

State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Stuart Grimley has shared concerns with the Health Minister that the Voluntary Assisted Dying Scheme may be illegal when conducted via telehealth.

Stuart Grimley has welcomed the speed limit change on the Great Ocean Road at Marengo to 80km/h from 100km/h as a result of his advocacy.

Stuart Grimley has welcomed the announcement that signage will be upgraded at the Fuller Road Level Crossing in Inverleigh, as a result of his advocacy.

Stuart Grimley has asked the State Government to plan a campaign to recruit more Justices of the Peace (JP) after a severe shortage has been noted in south-west Victoria.

Stuart Grimley MP has teamed up with founder (and former yellow member) of The Wiggles to encourage other Victorian MPs to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in their office.

26/11/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP is calling on the State Government to introduce ‘grab and drag’ laws to strengthen our legal system specifically in dealing with violence against women.

11/10/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has raised concerns with the Government over the continuous problems and failings with the residential care system.

10/11/2020 – Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party has implored the Victorian Government to abandon provisions set to gag the families of deceased victims of sexual assault, during debate on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Supporting Victims and Other Matters) Bill in Parliament today.

09/11/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has called on the State Government to provide an explanation as to why a request for a safe level crossing to be installed at the high-risk Fuller Road crossing has been ignored.

15/10/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has welcomed the announcement by the Victorian Government that it will amend the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act to allow victim survivors of sexual assaults to publicly tell their stories.

13/10/2020 – Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party will not be voting for the Omnibus Bill in its current form.

07/10/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has welcomed the Federal Budget announcements which include a number of local infrastructure projects that will create jobs and prepare the booming Western region for its journey back to ‘normal’.

16/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has asked the State Government to be open about wait times for the driving test needed to obtain a Victorian drivers’ license in regional areas such as Geelong and Colac.

17/09/2020 – Regional court upgrades could be a great way to stimulate local economies and create construction jobs in country towns, State Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley MP has said in Parliament this week.

16/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has called on the State Government to fund virtual fences – or modern sound barrier technology – to prevent further wildlife deaths on a deadly 8km stretch of the Great Ocean Road near Marengo.

16/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has asked the State Government to be open about wait times for the drive test needed to obtain a Victorian drivers’ license in regional areas such as Geelong and Colac

15/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has again quizzed the State Government on the dumping of toxic soil in Bacchus Marsh, which the EPA has approved plans for recently.

15/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP warmly welcomes the Premier’s announcement today for rural and regional Victoria to move to Step 3 as of September 17.

17/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP will be debating a Bill that he has introduced to Parliament today that aims to increase the involvement of everyday Victorians in changing the law and “hand the power back to the people” in a small way.

03/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP has asked the State Government why they have not implemented a Presumptive Compensation Scheme for our ‘last line of defence’ through COVID-19.

01/09/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP not be supporting a 6-month extension of the State of Emergency.

20/08/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP invites the public to have their say on a public sex offender register in Victoria.

18/08/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP seeks clarity on the status of the Murray Basin Rail Project.

18/08/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP calls on the Government to establish a database within VicPol for the reasons sexual assault cases are withdrawn in Victoria.

01/07/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP donates one month of his pollie pay rise to the Melton Soup Kitchen.

30/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP is handing out 25 free hand sanitizers to small businesses in the Western Victoria region.

30/06/2020 – On the eve of FRVs beginning, Stuart Grimley MP pays tribute to what was the CFA.

19/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP writes an opinion piece about The Overland train service, a week ahead of its proposed cancellation. UPDATE: The Overland has been funded for another three years by Victoria’s State Government, after fierce lobbying by Mr Grimley, other MPs and the community.

18/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP passes a crossbench amendment to the legislation that tightened the loophole for assaulting an emergency services worker, to have a mandatory 12-month review of how the new legislation is working, putting accountability on the State Government to get it right!

18/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP asked the State Labor Party to follow in the lead of their Federal Party and take a tough stance on the sentencing and treatment of sex offenders, after Federal Labor committed to supporting the Coalition Government in increasing sentencing for Federal sex offences

17/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP asks the State Government to fast-track the funding for the Twelve Apostles Trail upgrade, with low rental usage in the area and limited traffic/tourism.

16/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP asks the State Government to introduce Night Court in Geelong to fast-track bail and remand applications to streamline the weekday court proceedings, as a result of a backlog of court cases from COVID-19.

02/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP calls on the State Government to implement all of the interim recommendations from the Mental Health Royal Commission

04/06/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP tries to ensure the community is involved with the newly established Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority

18/05/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP says he is “stoked” with a funding announcement for the Warracknabeal Education Precinct, despite being a long time coming

06/05/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP announced a competition to support frontline support workers and keep kids entertained whilst at home due to COVID-19

23/04/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP asked the Health Minister for a timeline for flu vax to be back in stock, after a higher-than-usual uptake this year

07/03/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP expressed his sadness that George Pell was released from jail

19/03/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP raised a concern that during COVID-19, Magistrates Courts Should Halt Non-Essential Mentions & Stop Transporting Prisoners

19/03/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP spoke about a possible ‘2-up’ system for aged care/in-home carers after an incident in Geelong where an in-home carer was attacked

18/03/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP introduced a motion to the Legislative Council to make reporting of chamber matters more transparent including broader photography protocol

25/02/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP donated his monthly Pollie Pay Rise to Wimmera Family Against Violence

25/02/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP welcomed Derryn Hinch to Geelong for a Politics in the Pub event

07/02/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP calls on the Government to incorporate more Indigenous fire management practices

04/02/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP raises concerns about the amount of victims withdrawing sexual assault claims in Victoria.

19/02/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP called on the Government to fund the Aireys Inlet CFA Shed

15/01/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP is calling on the Government to review the funding arrangement for CFA Equipment

10/01/2020 – Stuart Grimley MP is adopting a koala from Jirralingha Koala & Wildlife Sanctuary following the devastating bushfires.

09/12/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP has purchased a defibrillator for his office on Pearl St for the Torquay community to use in the event of an emergency. Mr Grimley was joined by a local who survived a heart attack in 2014 on Torquay beach, as a result of using a defibrillation device.

09/12/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP has given his monthly pollie pay rise donation to Lorne’s Great Ocean Road Healthcare.

05/12/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP will name and shame a suppressed offender when Parliament resumes in 2020. Hinch has long argued for more rights for victims, rather than offenders.

27/11/2019 – A key DHJP issue, Stuart Grimley MP talks about the many people dying before having a chance to utilise voluntary euthanasia which is difficult to navigate and access.

27/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP’s comments on not supporting the Industrial Manslaughter Bill due to concerns with farming and small business.

15/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP asked the Government Minister to meet with Hope Bereavement Services’ CEO to discuss how their business can survive into the future.

15/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP supported legislation abolishing de novo appeals which stops victims having to present their statements multiple times to courts.

15/11/2019 – Proposing an amendment to enable victims of crime to be notified about compensation paid to perpetrators by the State.

14/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP is supporting regional industries, which the Government are threatening with the impending closure of logging, transition away from mining and more.

12/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP asked the Government to ‘come to the party’ with respect to an arrangement for the water body at Alcoa in Anglesea, to ensure Eden Project invest in the rehabilitated mine site.

11/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP thanked Western Victorian organisations including The Naked Farmer for their work on rural mental health help.

12/11/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP sends many questions to the Government during the debate of the Cladding Bill; including about GMHBA Stadium.

05/11/2019 – The gold royalty of 2.75% proposed for 1 January 2020 was brought in at May 2019’s State Budget without any community consultation. Stuart spoke in Parliament addressing this and the hundreds of jobs it jeopardises.

31/10/2019 – After a Colac Magistrate expressed concern over repeat drug drivers facing court continuously, Stuart reflected on the frustrations he had as a police officer and experiencing the same thing. He asked a question to the Minister about their proposed solutions for repeat drug drivers.

31/10/2019 – Stuart asked the Government if they will continue the emergency response trials such as PROMPT and PACER.

30/10/2019 – Murray Basin Rail Project has been stalled and Stuart spoke about the importance of the completion of the project to Western Victoria, including the development of a business case for Portland Rail.

30/10/2019 – Great investment in wind energy has an unintended consequence; limiting the amount of housing available in regional Victorian communities.

22/10/2019 – Stuart Grimley MP gave his October pollie pay rise to Torquay Mens Shed