Page 779 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 18 March 2015
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We need to look at some of the recent legislative changes that have occurred in other jurisdictions, at how they have impacted and may be appropriate here in the ACT, regardless of which political party instigated these changes. This has been a body of work that has been taken on by attorneys-general, chief ministers and ministers for women in all jurisdictions, Liberal and Labor, over time. We have the opportunity of the national conversation that is happening in COAG, and we want to make sure that we go into that COAG meeting with a very clear vision about what it is that we need to see locally in the ACT but also what we want to roll out nationally as well. I think that the ACT can take a leading role when it comes to some of these things.
As I said, there is the increase in public awareness. There is an opportunity, I think. We can take a stronger stand. We can put more resources into this area and it will have that community support, and we must take advantage of that. And unquestionably there has been an increase in demand. From speaking to a number of people in the community sector who are responsible for the provision of services for people who are victims of domestic violence, it is unquestionable that there has been an ever-increasing demand for services in this area. We must make sure that people who are seeking support know that they will receive support from those agencies.
The worst thing that we can do in many ways is raise awareness, tell people, “If you are a victim come forward, seek help,” then find that those people that do come forward, that do seek help, are rejected or the organisations that are set up are unable to provide that sort of support because essentially we have raised expectations and dashed expectations. I think in the longer term that would be almost as bad as doing nothing whatsoever. We do need to make sure that the actions that we take in the community match our words and match the resources. That is why I have called for a roundtable.
I am aware that Mr Corbell will be moving amendments. I have not seen them circulated yet, but I believe that they are on their way. I will be supporting the amendments. As I said, the important thing that we are doing here is making sure that this issue is on the agenda, that this is a focus of our attention, and I welcome the fact that the government will now convene a meeting of the council and others, as well as inviting MLAs. Whether we call it a roundtable or call it something else, I think this is an area where we should not say that we can only talk; we must have action. But we do need to make sure that, particularly as MLAs and senior government officials, we understand exactly what needs to be done and what is being called for from the community. We do need to look at issues as to where the gaps are. Are there gaps in public housing, in emergency relief for housing? Are there gaps in legal aid? Are there gaps in police response? Are there gaps in our legislation?
We know that Tasmania is taking a leading role when it comes to domestic violence orders, to make sure that they are effective in different jurisdictions. I think that is a good idea. We know that we are an island within New South Wales. We certainly want to make sure that a domestic violence order that might be effective in Queanbeyan is equally as effective in Canberra, and vice versa, because many Canberra residents, and indeed Queanbeyan residents, essentially live cross-border or may have partners on the other side of those borders.
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