Page 1987 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 June 2022
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family violence in this city. Where not enshrined in legislation, I strongly advocate for the council to exercise its discretion in developing a strategic framework with detailed objectives and goals to address the responses to and incidences of domestic and family violence in the ACT.
I also recognise the need for ensuring that certain communities are represented as a member of the DVPC, communities that are disproportionately and/or uniquely impacted by domestic and family violence. The bill specifies a minimum of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be appointed to the DVPC and a minimum of one culturally and linguistically diverse person to be appointed.
I have been informed that there are plans for the council to establish a CALD reference group. As the minister stated, similarly, earlier this week, most people who experience violence are women, people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and children. I recognise that there is limited data in relation to the experience and impact of domestic and family violence with respect to LGBTIQ people, children, seniors and people with disability.
I acknowledge the Listen. Take action to prevent, believe and heal report and government response that the minister presented to the Assembly today, which is a positive start to collecting some more information that will inform better policies in this territory. However, we can do far better in addressing the data gaps for each of these at-risk groups. It is important that our most vulnerable community members are fully represented in the newly restructured DVPC. It is paramount that the ACT government is accountable to not only its founding objective of reducing domestic violence in our city but also its extended commitments to improve responses to domestic and family violence.
I and the Canberra Liberals will be closely monitoring the implementation of this bill and the impact it has on the prevention of and timely intervention in domestic and family violence incidents, as well as short and long-term supports for survivors and their families in this territory. I would like to thank Minister Berry, her staff and the directorate for their work in preparing this bill. I also express my appreciation to all the domestic violence service organisations, the multicultural advisory bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who provided valuable feedback during the consultation process. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
MR DAVIS (Brindabella) (4.35): On behalf of the ACT Greens, I would like to express our support for the changes to the Domestic Violence Prevention Council governance arrangements. The aim of this legislation is to increase the capacity of the council to provide advice to the minister on the prevention of family and domestic violence. This bill will allow for the proper and transparent governance of the council by revising its functions and ensuring that there is consistent membership and representation from key advocates, including the Victims of Crime Commissioner, the CEO of DVCS, the police and Corrective Services.
The governance arrangements of the council are important to get right if we are to enable experts to provide robust and authoritative advice to government. It is essential that our advisers are provided with the necessary resourcing, structures and
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