Page 3446 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 25 November 1992
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I am pleased to say that a resolution was taken by the ministerial conference last month to give effect to this recommendation. As the only head of government present at the conference, I undertook to refer the strategy to the Council of Australian Governments. In keeping with this commitment, I have written to the Prime Minister asking that this issue be placed on the agenda of the inaugural meeting of the council which is to be held early next month. In view of the significance of the strategy's objectives, and their whole of government nature, I believe that it is essential that they be dealt with at head of government level.
In terms of the ACT's implementation of the strategy, it is important to note that we have already taken many steps towards meeting its objectives. In providing immediate protection to women escaping violence, the ACT was one of the first Australian jurisdictions to have portability legislation in place which enables a domestic violence protection order made outside the ACT to be registered in the Magistrates Court and subsequently any breach to be enforced. This was a matter which I pursued at head of government level last year to ensure that protection orders are recognised across borders - a mechanism which is especially significant for the ACT in view of our close relationship with New South Wales.
Amendments have also been made to strengthen the ACT domestic violence legislation by giving the police power to search for concealed weapons in domestic violence situations. The Domestic Violence Crisis Service's role has been clarified through provisions which ensure that a worker from the service attends domestic violence incidents with the police. This proactive involvement of the service ensures that women are informed about all their options in such circumstances. The ACT also has a system of interim protection orders which enables women to obtain almost immediate protection from violent situations. We have a policy that no court fees are payable on any proceedings under the ACT Domestic Violence Act. In addition, a Legal Aid duty solicitor is available to assist with all hearings for interim domestic violence orders.
I announced a further important initiative in this area in the context of the 1992-93 ACT budget. A domestic violence advocate will be employed in the Women's Information and Referral Centre to assist women who are survivors of domestic violence to gain access to the ACT government services that they require. Funding has been allocated for a Domestic Violence Survivors Support Group which will also be run from the centre.
The national strategy's findings indicate that the availability of guns in the home is a significant factor in violence against women. Statistics show that firearms are used in one-third of domestic homicides. In response to this issue, the strategy puts forward directions for action which include working towards stricter uniform firearms legislation, banning military-style semiautomatic weapons, and legislating against guns being allowed in domestic situations. It should be noted, Madam Speaker, that the ACT legislation in this area is amongst the most advanced in Australia. In the ACT the sale of military-style semiautomatic weapons is banned and the ACT Weapons Act imposes tight controls on the ownership and use of weapons.
Many other measures are currently being developed which will further strengthen the ACT Government's good record in allowing women to live in safety. In particular, the Community Law Reform Committee's current investigation into the adequacy of domestic violence laws and related services has been presented to my colleague the Attorney-General as a discussion paper.
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