Page 781 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 18 March 2015

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I think that is something that we need to be mindful of and make sure that it is not just about the services that are provided but where they are provided. For people often who are suffering from domestic and family violence, those services need to be accessible, and it is not simply a matter of just having a website or a phone number. Often, as was reflected in the conversations with the women that used to access the women’s referral centre in the city, the ability to go somewhere and talk face to face, a place where they can meet with people, is important.

So I commend the fact that we are having this conversation here. I commend the fact that there is going to be action taken. I thank the government for the resources that they provided earlier this week. I think that is a good thing, but it is only a step along the way. As I indicated, I will wait until I see the amendments but, based on what has been circulated to my office, I welcome the amendments and indicate that they will have the opposition’s support.

MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Health, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Capital Metro) (10.17): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to move the two amendments that have been circulated in my name together.

Leave granted.

MR CORBELL: I move:

(1) Omit paragraph (1)(a), substitute:

“(a) 1 in 6 Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner;

(aa) 1 in 4 Australian women have experienced emotional abuse from a current or former partner; and

(ab) 1 in 3 Australian women have experienced physical violence.”.

(2) Omit all words after “calls on the ACT Government to”, substitute:

“work with the Domestic Violence Prevention Council to convene an extraordinary meeting in April, prior to the next COAG meeting, noting:

(a) the extraordinary meeting will be augmented by domestic violence experts in the community;

(b) the meeting will include organisations that represent people who have experienced domestic and family violence; and

I welcome the motion from the Leader of the Opposition this morning and I welcome the ongoing discussion in this place on the issue of domestic violence and the

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