26th Feb 2020, 4:46 PM – Senate Committees - Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee - Reference

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by SA Senator Rex Patrick (Centre Alliance), which means it succeeded and the matter below will be referred to the Committee.

Motion text

(1) That the Senate notes the inquiries relating to domestic violence in Australia undertaken by the Finance and Public Administration References Committee in 2014-2015 and 2015-2017, and the 2019 Auditor General's report on implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

(2) That the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, informed by the reports named at (1), inquire into and report, by not later than 13 August 2020, on domestic violence with particular regard to violence against women and their children, including:

(a) the status of, and any barriers in implementing, the recommendations of the reports;

(b) the adequacy, effectiveness and resourcing of policies, programs, services and responses to domestic violence across the Australian Government, state and territory governments, local governments, non- government and community organisations, business and the media;

(c) immediate and long-term measures that need to be taken to prevent violence against women and their children;

(d) the effects of policy decisions regarding housing, legal services, and women's economic independence limiting the ability of women and children to escape domestic violence;

(e) how the Australian Government and state and territory governments can best support, contribute to and drive the social, cultural and behavioural shifts required to eliminate violence against women and their children; and

(f) any other related matters.