Senate Committee’s Cursory Treatment of Domestic Violence Inquiry Concerning

20/05/2020

President's Message

The New South Wales Bar Association shares the concerns raised by the Law Council in their media release and as outlined in the dissenting report of the Centre Alliance over the decision by a Senate inquiry into domestic violence to report three months early without hearings or consultation.

The decision by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee not to consult with experts, stakeholders or most importantly survivors of family violence is unfortunate.

This Committee was given an important role which complemented rather than duplicated ongoing parliamentary inquiries into Australia’s family law system and the Government’s merger proposal. The Committee has merely conducted a basic literature review that does not do justice to its brief and denied an important opportunity for those affected by family violence to speak about their experiences and contribute to reform.

The Association encourages the Parliament to ensure family violence service providers and the family law system including the Courts are properly funded and resourced to best support those in need of urgent assistance.