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Family Violence report enters legislation

A bill based on the commission's Review of Family Violence was introduced to parliament on 24 June 2008, the first step in an overhaul of the way the legal system deals with family violence. The Family Violence Protection Bill would replace existing legislation in the Crimes Act after the commission recommended a stand-alone act to deal with family violence. The bill also takes on board other recommendations such as making it easier for victims to stay in the family home and limiting the power of perpetrators to cross-examine victims. Attorney-General and Deputy Premier Rob Hulls said “this Bill challenges the pervasive attitude that family violence is a domestic matter. Family violence is a crime worthy of a significant response by the justice system”.