What a day.
It is such an honour to have been declared Victoria’s newest Animal Justice Party MP today, and one of the youngest women ever elected to the Legislative Council.
I won’t lie – while this is very exciting to me, it’s also incredibly overwhelming. 1/8
I endured a lot yesterday.
But having my body and outfit photoshopped by a media outlet was not on my bingo card.
Note the enlarged boobs and outfit to be made more revealing.
Can’t imagine this happening to a male MP.
What gives?
She is Australia’s rarest waterbird — and she was found on a regional wetland today with a gunshot wound to her neck.
It’s only 5 days into Victoria’s recreational duck shooting season. Yet, she isn’t the first illegal kill we’ve seen.
And I know she won’t be the last.
Revenge porn isn’t a ‘regrettable mistake’.
It ruins lives. In some cases, it ends lives. And it must be taken seriously.
An absolutely disgraceful standard being set by Dominic Perrottet.
This is exactly why women still feel our parliaments are not a place for them.
#NSWpol
This morning, I called for an inquiry into greyhound racing in Victoria.
Almost 50 dogs were killed in 2022 - despite so-called safety improvements.
This afternoon, it was revealed the first dog of 2023 was killed yesterday.
These gentle couch potatoes deserve so much better.
This is just one of many letters sent to our office this week.
Some are threatening, some are sick — all of them are wrong.
My boss puts on a brave face, but I’ll say it: we’re struggling.
Everyone has the right to voice opinions to pollies. But not like this.
#SpringSt
Black Caviar on Saturday.
Her ninth and final foal today.
A constant cycle of pregnancy isn’t retirement.
And no matter how the industry tries to spin it, it isn’t ‘love’ — it is the brutal reality of horse racing.
The only difference?
People are paying attention.
Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government just put its seal of approval on the continued massacre of native wildlife.
Duck shooting will go on despite the primary recommendation from their own inquiry.
It’s a disgrace, and it’s the end of our good faith relationship.
#springst
The ugly scenes of neo-nazis and anti-trans bigots outside the Victorian Parliament yesterday have no place here, or anywhere.
Empty condemnation isn’t enough. We must look at ways we can change our laws to stop this dangerous movement from growing. History cannot repeat itself.
@PRGuy17
Thank you so much! The realisation I could win is very overwhelming (and exciting) — and if I do I hope to be a pragmatic and reasonable voice on the crossbench. Which it seems will be more important than ever with some of the other candidates who might get up.
Today the Premier said there is no guarantee there will be a duck shooting season.
This is a shift in narrative we’ve never seen before.
We are so close to our native waterbirds finally being safe.
And I know this progressive government has it in them to do the right thing.
Some words from me in The Guardian today. Writing this was equal parts cathartic, liberating and terrifying — but I’m feeling pretty good about taking power back.
(It also helps when your boss
@AndyMeddickMP
is a supportive legend).
I haven’t formally shared this here yet. So hi! I am running in the state election in November as the Lead Animal Justice Party Candidate for Northern Victoria.
A few years ago I said I never would, so why am I? 1/8
A duck shooting season will proceed in Victoria.
I am truly lost for words.
Modifying length or bag limit does not stop the cruelty and suffering.
This has been announced alongside a parliamentary review, and I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to get on the committee.
A threatened Blue-winged Shoveler illegally shot, harvested and discarded in a tree hollow on day 1 of Victoria’s duck shooting season.
Found by volunteer rescuers, not the responsible authorities.
When will this end? We are supposed to be the progressive state.
#SpringSt
3 greyhounds have been killed in 2 days in Victoria.
It’s only January & there have been 5 dogs killed and 294 dogs injured on Victorian racetracks.
Our state even has the shameful title of the highest death/injury rate.
No so-called safety improvements can fix this industry.
I'm losing confidence in the Victorian Government following its mishandling of duck shooting. It will be difficult for some to hear this, but the government is lying about its reasons and is acting in bad faith. I support
@AJP_Victoria
's fight to ban this barbaric bloodsport.
The people who have told me that I’m overreacting for refusing to be quiet on gendered criticism and sexualisation of women in public life are eerily quiet today.
I’ll say it again:
Sexism in politics doesn’t just hurt us.
It damages democracy.
And that hurts everyone.
Some personal news:
Today I officially became an Australian Lawyer! 🥂
Thank you to
@JillHennessyMP
for moving my admission and to
@shears_andrew
for supervising my legal training.
I am v proud and happy for getting here!
If the rumour the government is ignoring their own recommendation to ban duck shooting is true, they will not get the same version of me when parliament returns.
A disgraceful mockery of process the community had faith in.
It’s no wonder people don’t trust politicians.
Every vulnerable Victorian, whether they be human or animal, can count on me to advocate for them.
I promise I’ll do everything in my power over the next four years to make Victoria a kinder, fairer place. 8/8
As the wife of a paramedic, I’ve seen what a Liberal Government did to our health system and it’s workers under ordinary circumstances. I don’t even want to imagine it during a pandemic.
#IStandWithDan
I am committed to ending the recreational slaughter of Victoria’s native waterbirds – something that Labor Governments have already done in 3 other states. Western Australia banned duck shooting before I was even born. 4/8
Tw: p*dophilia and transphobia:
Since
#QAnonCult
is trending, here is another letter we’ve received before the Pandemic Bill debate. I won’t post the body — too offensive.
I stand with my boss
@AndyMeddickMP
ahead of the vicious attacks he’s bound to receive today.
#SpringSt
When the Victorian Government isn’t allowing the blending up of day old chicks, they are approving gassing piglets in underground chambers hoping their screams don't make it to the surface.
Tonight they did — on ABC's 7.30 report.
And yes, I want an inquiry into it.
#abc730
I find heavily tattooed men and women always leave me wondering what traumas and emotional struggles they have experienced in their past.
#GeorgiePurcell
#WomansHour
#bbcradio4
We call ourselves the progressive state, but are the only one to continue the brutal so-called ‘sport’ of jumps racing.
I’ve seen the suffering it causes with my own eyes, and will do all I can to end it. 5/8
I just spoke in parliament about Victoria being the only state left to hold jumps races.
I walked out to the news that St Arnicca has just been killed on the track at the Warrnambool Carnival — after falling over the second last hurdle.
And we think we’re progressive.
#SpringSt
I am so sick of the men who continue to do this not being held accountable.
There is nothing shameful in sending consensual nudes. There is something incredibly shameful in leaking them.
This is an issue that needs urgent addressing as more young women enter politics.
I’ll work to implement Veticare, to support our hardworking vets, and ensure every Victorian animal gets the care they need.
This parliament will see two major pieces of legislation go through - the reformed Wildlife Act & a new Animal Care and Protection Bill. 6/8
I’m so proud to be union. For
#UnionTShirtDay
, here’s a bunch of my fav lewks from my many different jobs bc iso life got me not ready for a selfie just yet.
#ProudToBeUnion
#MayDay
3 years ago, the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops became illegal in Victoria — breaking a major link in the puppy factory supply chain.
So proud of this achievement by
@OscarsLaw
alongside the Victorian Government. Now it’s time for other states to follow ✊🏼✊🏼
For so long, I was led to believe parliament wasn’t a place for women like me.
But now I’ve realised that more than ever, we need politicians with colourful backgrounds and diverse experiences to share in our halls of power. 2/8
Today the greyhound racing industry quietly announced a participant has been suspended for alleged live baiting at a property in Lara.
None of us are surprised.
With such an insufficient and irregular compliance schedule - how many more are going unchecked?
Shut it down.
“Recommendation 1: That the Victorian Government ends the annual recreational native bird hunting season opening on all public and private land from 2024.”
After 10 years of duck rescue, to be on the Committee calling for a shooting ban is everything. Let’s get it done
#SpringSt
I will fight to ensure they are free from exemptions or loopholes that still cause suffering.
I’m proud to be part of a progressive crossbench, and I’ll work with my colleagues on more accessible reproductive care, cannabis reform and to fix our broken environment laws. 7/8
Also seems timely to remind people that there’s nothing wrong with being naked on a cat walk.
What is wrong is sexualising women as a way to criticise us, our capability and our right to exist in public life.
Over the last four years with Andy Meddick as our first ever Victorian MP, we’ve achieved so much, and I am so proud to have been a part of it as his Chief of Staff.
But there is so much more to be done – and the work starts right here, right now. 3/8
My good friend pointed out to me that ‘revenge porn’ isn’t the right term anymore as porn implies pleasure and consent.
Image based abuse is the saving, sharing or distribution of sensitive images.
Just wanted to correct myself and share with anyone else who didn’t know. 🥰
I was just elected Chair of the Legislative Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee.
We will inquire into and report on any proposal concerned with agriculture, infrastructure, industry, major projects + more.
I’m looking forward to getting to work with my colleagues.
53% of family and domestic violence cases include threats or actual violence against pets.
That include killing beloved animals.
1 in 3 women who have FDV also report delaying escaping, in fear of needing to leave their beloved animals behind.
Today we helped to change that.
The gendered online abuse scrawled on this dress is considered unparliamentary for me to wear into work. So why aren’t we doing more to stop it from being said?
#SpringSt
I want to reiterate my allyship to our trans and gender diverse communities.
Your right to exist and safely be yourself should never be up for debate, and certainly not a target for protest.
Officially appointed as a member of the Legislative Council Select Committee inquiring into recreational duck shooting in Victoria.
We hold our first meeting within the next week.
LFG.
The South Australian Premier just gave the greyhound racing industry 2 years to clean up its act.
An impossible task following a damning report handed down today.
Here in Victoria, our government refuses to inquire into this dog killing machine.
It chooses to fund it instead.
Women belong in all places where decisions are being made 🤵🏼♀️💪🏻 💅🏼
Feeling very lucky & excited to be at Government House this evening to graduate from Melbourne University’s Pathway to Politics Program for Women.
@Pathways_UoM
I know there’s a lot of doom and gloom in the world right now — but today is my DONKEY’S 41ST BIRTHDAY!
Pls send him well wishes and also stern words about not eating candles.
It’s International Pig Day, so I thought I’d share a photo of Cupid and I at
@EdgarsMission
🐷
I’ll be keeping pigs like Cupid in mind as we begin to work towards some Parliament efforts for those just like him.
#Pigs
#SpringSt
#AnimalProtection
Victorian man in his 20s dies of
#COVID19Vic
and the conspiracy theorists/covid deniers desperate to know previous health history instead of recognising the seriousness of this disease. As an immunocompromised young person, I’m here to tell you it’s really gross. Stop 👏🏼 it 👏🏼.
The universe works in amazing ways.
After a week of abusive letters and emails, my high school time capsule just came in the mail.
I just read a letter I wrote to myself ten years ago, one off my parents, and one off my grandma and grandpa (who since died).
I needed this 🥰
Well, when I got up today I didn’t expect to have a 40-year-old (!!!!) donkey by the afternoon, but life is sometimes funny like that. Twitter, meet Duncan
Abortion is healthcare and a human right.
I will always be thankful I live somewhere I had a choice — the one I know was right for me.
I’ll also always be thankful that the protestors who heckled me are now banned around clinics in this state.
#InternationalSafeAbortionDay
1/3
The racing industry is built on power imbalances — stacked against both animals and people.
Today’s report into sexual abuse isn’t one bit surprising.
The only option is to take complaint management away from them.
They’ve shown us once again self-regulation doesn’t work.
Today, the Government supported my motion to include an animal abuse offence within the Family Violence Act, and to further investigate the link between animal and human abuse.
76% of animal abusers have also harmed a human family member. This violence escalates.
Sex 👏🏼 work 👏🏼 is 👏🏼 real 👏🏼 work 👏🏼
So happy/proud it will finally be decriminalised in Victoria — helping to remove stigma and improve safety.
Well done to those who made this happen. Not all heroes wear capes... some wear nothing at all!
#SpringSt
A few days ago I was elected Chair of the Victorian Upper House's Economy and Infrastructure Committee. I thought now would be a good time to explain exactly how Committees work, and how they can be used to implement positive change for our state. 🧵
#SpringSt
Yesterday an Australian Veterinary Association spokesperson labelled duck shooting ‘inhumane’, criticised wounding rates and called for a ban on behalf of the peak body.
Wondering if the government noticed she also just left the Game Management Authority board? 🤷♀️
#SpringSt
Georgie Purcell
@georgievpurcell
This croc wearer easily took down the rudd stan, but can she beat the union???
VS
6 News branch of MEAA (unofficial)
@6NewsMEAA
This union isfacing an opponent of their last foe, will they find the enemy of their enemy is not their friend???
Georgie Purcell
@georgievpurcell
She won the last round in a landslide, but can she keep it up against the Rudd stan???
VS
Mandarin Majors for Kevin Rudd
@DaiSacson
After his opponent declared victory due to pronouns or something he won in a landslide, can he keep winning
Was really amazing to be part of this mine shaft rescue today.
Look closely.
That’s a tranquilised kangaroo down the bottom.
We got him to the top and he is doing well. It’s just so lucky someone stumbled across him.
I’ll do a thread of pics below.
The scenes from South Australian greyhound trainers aren’t an isolated incident or a rogue operator.
This industry is rotten to its core in every single state, and they’ve been given too many chances.
Participants operate across borders, and Victoria needs an inquiry too.
Reading about
@tanya_plibersek
and her incredibly strong daughter Anna today was powerful and important.
It was a reminder of just how much sexual violence takes from survivors, and the need to continue improving our system to avoid re-traumatisation.
Get vaccinated so I can be back in a bar with my best friend absolutely losing our shit screaming let’s go girls when Man! I Feel Like A Woman Comes On
@GaryJoh66552082
I didn’t make that comparison mate, and I think you’re missing the point. Nine foals isn’t a retirement. And I’d love to see the racing industry ‘love’ the thousands of other horses nobody knows about. You know, perhaps starting with funding a proper retirement plan.