Details of DV support introduced to Parliament

Further details of the Crisafulli government’s action on a scourge of society was introduced to Parliament to coincide with the start of domestic and family violence prevention month in a move that illustrates the importance of the issue according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP.

The Legislation will now be examined by the Parliamentary Education, Arts and Communities Committee who will seek stakeholder input and conduct public consultation.

“The Crisafulli government has drawn a clear line in the sand when it comes to domestic and family violence,” Mr Last said.  “There is never an excuse for that type of behaviour and this government will back victims 100% and we will hold perpetrators to account.”

“The introduction of Police Protection Directions will empower Police to intervene quickly and effectively to provide real protections to victims.  Those Directions will put on-the-spot constraints on offenders and, if breached, the offender faces up to 3 years imprisonment.”

“For too long governments have tinkered around the edges when it comes to sending a clear message.  A change must be made because the number of victims of these crimes has escalated and the demand on Police resources has skyrocketed.”

“Many of the conditions that are currently applied in circumstances of domestic and family violence will still be available to Police.  The difference is that those conditions can be applied for a longer period than they currently can, without the need for a court case.”

Mr Last said consultation with stakeholders and the public would provide the opportunity to refine the Legislation and that significant work had gone into determining when the Directions could be used and how they could be reviewed.

“The options available to Police vary depending on the individual circumstances such as a history of offending or threats to use weapons,” he said.

“There are also specific conditions that apply when a child is the victim as well as the ability for both Police and the Courts to review Police Protection Directions.”

“We make no apologies for focusing on the rights of the victim but we also respect the rule of law so there are safeguards built into the Legislation to ensure the objective of protecting victims is what is actually achieved. For example, allowing body-cam footage to be used for evidence reduces trauma for victims but also allows magistrates the chance to see exactly what Police see at the scene of an incident.”

“And when it comes to high-risk perpetrators, GPS monitoring will provide an additional layer of protection for victims when deemed necessary by a court. That element of the Legislation will begin as a pilot in certain areas to allow for any challenges to be addressed before implementation statewide.”

“Given the lifelong impact that domestic and family violence can have on victims and witnesses, it is essential that we put in place the best protections possible. That’s why I encourage people who have been touched by domestic and family violence to share their experiences and raise any concerns they have when consultation opens because that input could, literally, save a life.”

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