A Bill to be introduced into Parliament today offers greater protections to victim survivors of domestic and family violence.
Announced by Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech, and Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Kate Worden, the proposed reforms in the Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence ) Bill 2023 include:
clearer and stronger powers for police and courts;broader definitions of domestic violence, and domestic and family relationships ;increased accountability for domestic and family violence offenders;stronger provisions to consider the safety and wellbeing of children;measures to address coercive control in alignment with national principles; and improved access to information-sharing practices in the justice system.
The Bill - guided by the Northern Territory's Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework 2018-2028: Safe, Respected and Free from Violence - follows an extensive review of the legislation and justice responses to domestic and family violence, and consultation with the sector and support services.
Around $55 million per year is invested into the Territory's domestic, family, and sexual violence response.
Quotes attributable to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech:
"The Territory Labor Government is proposing a raft of legislative reforms that prioritise the safety of Territorians and modernise our legislation.
"These laws, to be debated during Parliamentary Sittings in November, will improve justice responses for victim survivors of domestic and family violence and provide stronger measures to hold offenders to account."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Kate Worden:
"The rate of domestic and family violence in the Northern Territory is three times higher than the national average. That's completely unacceptable and it's why our Government is planning stronger protections for our victim survivors."
"Through these proposed reforms, the Territory Labor Government continues to demonstrate our long-term, sustained commitment to addressing domestic, family and sexual violence."
