Questions without notice and ministers statements
Family violence
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:06): (493) My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, the Victorian victims of crime commissioner Fiona McCormack conducted a scathing report, Silenced and Sidelined: Systemic Inquiry into Victim Participation in the Justice System, which was finalised in November 2023. The report calls for an urgent overhaul of a system that is causing further trauma for victims of crime, including many victims of family violence. Attorney, given the Premier’s recent statement:
As a government, we do have a responsibility to both lead and act …
in relation to domestic violence, when will you act on the commissioner’s report?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:07): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. Indeed at the outset I thank the many victims whose voices contributed to the work of the commissioner. They shared their stories and their experiences and in some respects, unfortunately, told us a lot of what we already know. The justice system is incredibly challenging for victims, and it is incumbent upon the courts and government to continue to respond to those concerns. I want to make a commitment that those contributions are not in vain – they do not fall on deaf ears. These are parts of conversations that I have regularly in my work as Attorney-General and across other portfolios in how we support victims. We have a standalone portfolio for victim support, held by the minister at the end of the table, so there is a lot of collaboration across government in upholding and supporting the rights of victims.
It is a challenge when you are balancing victims’ views with the rights of the accused and ensuring fair process and access to justice. It is incredibly difficult, but it is something that we continue to strive for. There are a range of recommendations in that report that contribute to the work that is part of our work plan and also some ideas that we are exploring. That is work that is always ongoing. I think the first question I ever got asked in this place as Attorney-General was ‘What are your priorities?’ Victim support and listening and responding to the views of victims are certainly well up there.
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:08): Thank you for your response, Attorney. This report had 189 references to family violence. Given Victoria has had a royal commission into family violence and that far too many women continue to be victims, will you commit to an immediate review into family violence related bail laws – given you just said that you were looking at your work plan – like your New South Wales counterpart, which will protect more women from the scourge of family violence?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:09): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. As has been reported, the Premier has asked me, the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and the Minister for Women, along with other interested colleagues – which is practically the whole cabinet – to continue the work that we are already doing, frankly. Family violence is a priority for our government. We have invested $3.7 billion in the last 10 years. We had the royal commission. We have a 10-year plan that is not yet implemented. But that does not stop us having the opportunity to reflect and reinvigorate and see what is working, what can change and what is doing better, and that is the work that is underway.
I would point out that the announcement in New South Wales is in response to a specific case. The Premier has asked for a review of that case and in relation to what happened for that particular individual’s bail conditions. As far as I am aware, it is not a broad-scale review of bail. However, I am very interested in what other jurisdictions do, and I will keep an eye on that.
In relation to the work that I undertake, a lot of things are on the table. In terms of a formal review of bail in relation to family violence, there are a range of matters but that is not a specific recommendation that has been provided to me.