Pauline Richards

Has sought updates on community safety in Cranbourne, pointing to family violence services and youth programs. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025.

• Said18 Feb 2025In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Community Safety for an update on community safety work in Cranbourne, describing family violence as the greatest law and order challenge.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

Voted against letting the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced (a procedural vote). Has criticised the Liberal housing plan, saying it would cut 300,000 new homes.

• Said18 Mar 2026Sought leave to move a motion condemning the Liberal Party's housing plan, saying it would cut 300,000 new homes, push up housing prices and hand housing supply back to councils. Leave was refused.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• 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

Spoke in support of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 and voted for it.

• Said15 Oct 2025In debate on the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, supported the bill and acknowledged the leadership of First Peoples' Assembly members.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

Has promoted local road upgrades and free public transport for young people. 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
• Said4 Mar 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Public and Active Transport for an update on the rollout of youth Mykis, noting under-18s can travel free.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said9 Sep 2026In a members statement, described intersection upgrades at Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road and at Clyde-Five Ways Road and the South Gippsland Highway.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Voted against letting the Greens' bill to pause new AI data centre approvals be introduced (a procedural vote).

• 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

Has spoken on balancing gambling as a legal activity with its harms, and on greyhound racing at Cranbourne. Voted for the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024.

• 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
• Said20 May 2025In debate on the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, said reforms need to balance gambling as a legal leisure activity with the harm it causes.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said17 Jun 2026In debate on the Racing Legislation Amendment (Entity Governance and Other Matters) Bill 2026, welcomed the near-complete greyhound track works at Cranbourne after local families raised concerns.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Voted for the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy bill. Has backed the government's cost-of-living measures, including free public transport for children and seniors, and described dental costs as a cost-of-living issue.

• 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
• Said28 May 2025In debate on the 2025–26 appropriation bills, welcomed free public transport for children and seniors and the power saving bonus as cost-of-living measures.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said23 Sep 2026In debate on a motion on dental services, said dental costs are also a cost-of-living issue for families already balancing mortgages, rent, groceries, transport and child care.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Parliamentary Secretary for Health since August 2026. Has promoted the Cranbourne Community Hospital and supported nurse and midwife ratio laws. Voted against a reasoned amendment to withdraw the Health Safeguards bill for redrafting (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
• Said12 May 2026In a members statement, welcomed a budget commitment for an urgent care clinic at the Cranbourne Community Hospital.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Minister7 Aug 2026Parliamentary Secretary for Health since August 2026.Parliament of Victoria member page
• Said12 Aug 2026In debate on the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2026, supported updating the hospital categories covered by the ratio laws.Hansard, Legislative Assembly