Page 2294 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 5 August 2015

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The Assembly voted—

Ayes 7		Noes 8
Mr Coe	Ms Lawder	Mr Barr	Mr Corbell
Mr Doszpot	Mr Smyth	Ms Berry	Mr Gentleman
Mrs Dunne	Mr Wall	Dr Bourke	Ms Porter
Mr Hanson		Ms Burch	Mr Rattenbury

Question so resolved in the negative.

Question put:

That Mr Corbell’s amendments be agreed to.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MADAM SPEAKER: The question now is that Mr Hanson’s motion, as amended, be agreed to.

MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (10.54): I thank members for their contributions today, but I express disappointment that, rather than the Assembly taking action, rather than implementing what those on the front line of domestic violence are calling for, in essence there is no decision.

The rub is that we have all spoken in this place and acknowledged that a domestic violence court, reform in the court, is needed, is called for and is the way to go, but what we are seeing is procrastination and no decision, and ultimately there is no commitment that this will come to pass. We have simply the word “consideration”, and that is in my view a letdown. Those people who have been calling for this, who believe that this will make the difference required, will have a right to feel let down.

It is good that we are talking about it. It is good that we have now expressed that this will be a part of consideration and that it will come under active consideration, but it is not what the community on the front line are calling for. I think it is a missed opportunity. Again I am disappointed that it has not come to pass.

I look forward to the continuing conversation, however. I continue to support many of the things that the government is doing in this space. I look forward to 17 August, when the second implementation plan is released, and I intend to be at that launch. I hope to be able to support all of the initiatives that are included in that package. This issue will obviously continue to enjoy bipartisan or tripartisan support. But it seems today that in this place, although we have taken a small step, we have failed the test, and that does disappoint.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

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