Page 1305 - Week 04 - Thursday, 5 May 2022
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thank my colleagues who have spoken and expressed support for this bill in the chamber today. This bill is not about politics. It is about ending violence in our community and it is about respect. That is why it is so important that it receive the tripartisan support it deserves.
I thank everyone in the Assembly for their positive contribution to help bring about legislative reforms to introduce a communicative model of consent into the Crimes Act. It has long been recognised that the ACT needs to introduce a communicative model of consent. I want to firstly recognise all the advocates, service providers, community groups and organisations, and victim-survivors who have fought for this change for a long time. This bill today is a reflection of that work. This bill is the product of that hard fight. I am so proud to be the one to stand here today to bring this reform to fruition.
However, the people that I stand here today that I really want to recognise are victim-survivors, those people who have been sexually assaulted in our community. Again, I want to say how deeply sorry I am for what has happened to you. I am so sorry if you live with this in silence. I am so sorry if you never found justice. I am so sorry if your darkest, quietest moments are haunted by a deep pain.
I hope you can find some reprieve that I stand here to represent you and to bring about change that will work to stop this violence. I stand here to put into law that every person has a right—a right—to choose not to participate in a sexual act. I stand here today to put into law that a consensual sexual act involves ongoing and mutual communication and decision-making. I stand here to put into law that consent to a sexual act is free and voluntary.
Legislative reform is one step on the long road to end sexual violence. However, I view it as a very important step. We can have all the best practice, evidence-based education programs in the world but if the law does not reflect those teachings then I do not believe we can fully progress to a point of cultural change. I feel confident that the law now provides the clarity that is needed in the community around what is consent and when consent cannot be given.
I want to reiterate that I will continue to work hard alongside services, advocates, victim-survivors and my Assembly colleagues to end sexual violence in this community. I will continue to be a strong advocate on this issue and I will continue to use my position of influence to achieve positive and constructive outcomes.
I want to acknowledge Minister Berry, as Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, for all the work that she and her team and the directorate undertake. I specifically want to thank key members of Minister Berry’s staff, David Ferguson, Melanie Walker and Gabriela Falzon, for their support through this process. I would also like to thank the Attorney-General, Mr Rattenbury, and his office, especially Lewis Pope, for support along the way. I also commend the professionalism and workmanship of the drafters at the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, who have been an absolute pleasure to work with throughout this process and who have gone above and beyond their call of duty.
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