Page 3788 - Week 13 - Thursday, 18 October 1990
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Attorney-General's failure to get on with his Weapons Bill. I, for one, certainly look forward to the introduction of that as a piece of legislation in the very near future.
MR KAINE (Chief Minister) (10.56): Mr Speaker, today with this Bill the Government takes a further step in extending protection to the victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a widespread problem in the Australian community and its cause lies in our society's attitudes to men and women, to violence and conflict.
The Alliance Government's policy on the status of women states:
Women and children are more likely than men to be victims of criminal assault, particularly domestic violence and sexual abuse, and of street violence.
The Government has made a strong commitment to promoting the security of women and children in our community and to providing ongoing community education programs to ensure an increasing awareness of this subject.
Mr Berry: Civil liberties.
MR KAINE: We are hearing a lot of chipping in and the usual mumbling from the other side of the house, but I ask the question: what did they do on this subject during their seven months of government? The answer, of course, is nothing. All they do is sit there and criticise, and whinge, and complain; but they did nothing - absolutely nothing.
Last month, Mr Speaker, the Assembly passed the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1990, which extended protection to family and household members who may be victims of domestic violence. Today, through this amendment Bill the Government further extends the protection of these people in a threatening domestic situation. I remind the Assembly that each month about 40 protection orders are issued by the ACT Magistrates Court, under the Domestic Violence Act. Under the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill of 1990, when a protection order is made against an individual, the court will automatically cancel or suspend a weapons licence held by that person, unless the court can be satisfied that the licence should not be cancelled. So, the onus is on the court to make the determination.
The court may also order the seizure of any weapon in that person's possession. I believe that the clarity of this legislation will assist the police force and the courts in their task of providing maximum protection to the victims of domestic violence. The legislative changes enacted this year indicate the commitment of this Government to the prevention of domestic violence and to the protection of victims of domestic violence.
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