Reinforcing its commitment to reducing crime, the Finocchiaro CLP Government will introduce the Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to Parliament tomorrow.
The Bill proposes to make critical amendments to several domestic and family violence and victims of crime Acts, including:
Tougher consequences for offenders: Reinstating domestic violence mandatory sentencing laws which Labor removed. These new mandatory sentencing provisions include a tiered sentencing framework from 2 to 5 years of imprisonment for certain Domestic Violence Order breaches.Increasing support for victims: Increasing the levy placed on offenders found guilty by up to 40%, to provide increased funds for victims' services. These amendments also cover victims of non-domestic violence related crimes.Enhancing victim protections: Expanding victims' access to information about offenders at the Crime Victims Services Unit to include those who aren't sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and ensuring victims are notified in more circumstances of offenders breaching their orders. For example, if an offender on parole cuts off their electronic monitoring device, the victim will be notified.Modernising procedures: Introducing an electronic application process to streamline and speed up applications for victims seeking financial relief.
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said the Bill would strengthen protections and streamline processes for victims and keep domestic violence offenders off the streets.
"Labor let victims down by removing the mandatory sentencing for DVO breaches," said Ms Boothby.
"We are reinstating this because we are putting the rights of victims above the rights of offenders, and domestic violence perpetrators must face real consequences.
"Under this Bill, domestic violence offenders would go to prison if there was harm or a threat of harm to the victim, a prior breach of a DVO or repeat breaches of a DVO within a short time."
Ms Boothby said the CLP Government would continue strengthening laws to address serious and violent offending to protect Territorians.
"Under Labor's watch, we experienced the highest rate of domestic violence in the country with an 82% increase in domestic violence assaults over the past 8 years, and we are taking action to change these alarming statistics," said Ms Boothby.
"In Parliament this week, we will also debate the Police Administration Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which gives police powers to enter premises to arrest individuals in breach of parole, including those whose parole has been revoked, and to enter a property's yard or driveway to conduct DVO compliance checks."
