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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (6 November) . . Page.. 3855 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

coroner to investigate in depth. It is important to note that the States, Territories and Commonwealth are committing increased resources, through the National Campaign Against Violence And Crime (NCAVAC) and other domestic violence initiatives, to conduct research into domestic violence prevention. Systemic deficiencies are more likely to be identified by systematic, methodical and targeted research efforts than by seeking to have the Coroner take on an investigative role beyond looking at the particular facts of the case before him or her.

The Government proposes to make two additional amendments to domestic violence legislation beyond those recommended by the Committee. The first will enable the registration of New Zealand protection orders. It is important that Australian jurisdictions enable the registration of such orders given the extent of movement of individuals across the Tasman. The second amendment, which is proposed to be made to section 9 of the Act, will broaden the scope of the restrictions and prohibitions that may be made by the Court. The Court will be able to make such orders as it thinks appropriate in the circumstances rather than being restricted to the finite list of prohibitions presently possible under section 9 of the Act. These amendments will not only make improvements to ACT legislation but also ensure that this Territory remains in the vanguard with respect to domestic violence reform initiatives.

Mr Speaker, I believe that the implementation of the measures proposed by the Government, together with the initiatives which have already been implemented (and in particular, I refer to the effect of protective orders on firearm licences and the extension of the search and seizure power), will do much to improve the practice and procedures to protect victims of domestic violence in the ACT. The Reports of the Committee have done

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