Christine Couzens

Supported new offences to protect retail, hospitality and transport workers and spoke for the Youth Justice Bill 2024. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025.

• Said1 Aug 2024In debate on the Youth Justice Bill 2024, supported it as an evidence-based framework to reduce offending and improve community safety while giving young people a chance to turn their lives around.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted14 Aug 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. Passed 73–3.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said18 Nov 2025In debate on the Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025, supported better protection for workers from violence, threats and abuse.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has welcomed new social housing in Geelong. Voted against letting the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced in April 2026 (a procedural vote).

• Voted1 Apr 2026Voted no on the motion to introduce the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rent Controls) Bill 2026, a Greens bill to cap rent increases. This was a procedural vote on whether the bill could be introduced. Lost 31–48.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said25 Aug 2026In a members statement, welcomed the opening of the Thomson housing project, where 18 old walk-up apartments were replaced with 54 new social homes.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

As Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples, spoke in support of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 and welcomed its passage. Voted for the bill.

• Minister27 Jun 2022Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples since June 2022.Parliament of Victoria
• Said14 Oct 2025In debate on the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, spoke in support and described the day as probably the most memorable one in Parliament for the government side.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted16 Oct 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. Passed 54–27.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said12 Nov 2025In a members statement, welcomed the treaty bill passing the Legislative Council, saying entrenching the First Peoples' Assembly gives traditional owners proper representation to government.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has opposed a council proposal to move buses out of Moorabool Street in central Geelong. Voted for the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.

• Voted31 Oct 2024Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, which lets the Premier declare precinct projects around major transport works, including the Suburban Rail Loop. Passed 50–23.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said13 Aug 2025In a members statement, said a City of Greater Geelong proposal to remove public transport from Moorabool Street was concerning, as bus users want buses to stay in the city centre.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Voted against letting the Greens' AI data centres moratorium bill be introduced in August 2026 (a procedural vote). Has supported a digital system for health services to share patient information.

• Said22 Feb 2023In debate on the Health Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2023, supported replacing phone and fax sharing of patient information with a digital system, drawing on the experience of a parent moved between hospitals.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted11 Aug 2026Voted no on the motion to introduce the Planning and Environment Amendment (AI Data Centres Moratorium) Bill 2026, a Greens bill to pause approvals of new hyperscale AI data centres. This was a procedural vote on whether the bill could be introduced. Lost 31–50.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Voted for the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024. Supported new offences for unauthorised entry to racetracks during race meetings.

• Said9 Feb 2023In debate on the Racing Amendment (Unauthorised Access) Bill 2022, supported new offences for entering racetracks during race meetings, saying they protect people and animals and do not stop people protesting safely.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted20 Mar 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024, which provides for pre-commitment limits and carded play on poker machines. Passed 53–25.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Spoke for and voted for the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund bill, which replaced the fire services property levy.

• Voted20 Mar 2025Voted yes on the third reading of the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025, which replaced the fire services property levy with a broader Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. Passed 50–25.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said20 Mar 2025In debate on the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025, supported the bill, pointing to levy exemptions for CFA and SES volunteers and a $250 million support package.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Spoke in support of the 2026 nurse and midwife ratios bill. Voted against a reasoned amendment to withdraw the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025 (a procedural vote).

• Voted5 Feb 2026On the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025, voted against a reasoned amendment calling for the bill to be withdrawn and redrafted after further consultation with the medical sector. This was a procedural vote; the Assembly did not divide on passing the bill. Amendment lost 26–54.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said13 Aug 2026In debate on the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2026, supported the bill and said government should keep listening to nurses and midwives through their union.Hansard, Legislative Assembly