Whole-of-government focus on family violence - ALRC report launched

8 February 2012

Protecting the safety of Australians experiencing family violence is the driving force behind a report released today on the treatment of family violence in laws relating to child support and family assistance; immigration; employment; social security; and superannuation. 

“The Australian Government takes a very strong stance on family violence and child abuse and is committed to improving Commonwealth laws to respond to this issue,” Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said.

“I’m pleased to launch the Australian Law Reform Commission’s report, Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws — Improving Legal Frameworks that contains 102 recommendations for the government to consider.

“Reducing all violence in our communities is a key priority for the Australian Government and ensuring the nation’s laws are compatible with this aim is crucial.

“Our laws must send a clear message that family violence is unacceptable and the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2011 that was passed by the Parliament in November 2011 does this.

“The enactment of this critical legislation is just one example of the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving Commonwealth laws to respond to the issue of family violence,” Ms Roxon said.

Other important initiatives developed by the Australian Government include:

  • the launch of a pilot of coordinated family dispute resolution in family violence cases to test a new model of supported family dispute resolution, and
  • the launch of AVERT Family Violence, a multi-disciplinary training package for professionals to help them better understand family violence and its impacts and looking for ways to improve information sharing to better protect families in the system.

Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws — Improving Legal Frameworks is available on the Commission’s website, www.alrc.gov.au . The Government will consider this report and respond in due course.

Media Contact: Attorney-General’s Office - (02) 6277 7300