Domestic and Family Violence

Ms PRATT (Frome) (14:20): Given the Premier's recent reference to the member for Reynell, my question is to the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence. Does the minister regret that the Labor Party accepted the $125,000 donation from the Victorian branch of the CFMEU and does she believe that it should have been donated to a domestic violence charity?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:20): I thank the member for her question. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak about the government's policy and actions in relation to domestic violence. As the Premier said, it's an area that I am deeply passionate about and that I have been deeply passionate about for my whole life. I know that there are other members in this house and indeed in the other house who are equally passionate about this topic and about doing what we can to further prevent and end domestic violence.

I will speak about our policy that we took to the election in a moment, but I did want to say that I think it's so wrong to politicise domestic violence in the way that it has been this afternoon and in the way that it has been over recent weeks. It is such an incredibly serious issue, and it requires deeply thoughtful public debate backed up by clear actions.

Before I speak about the actions that we are taking, I want to reflect for a moment that it was incredibly disappointing when we were in opposition when we urged the government to reverse its decision to cut $1.2 million from Catherine House, which provides a really important service and crisis accommodation to women, including women who have experienced domestic violence.

It was equally upsetting when we urged the then government to reverse its decision to cut $800,000 of funding from the Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service, which provides incredibly important support to women when they are experiencing domestic violence and going through one of the most difficult moments in that journey at a time when they actually confront what has happened to them and seek support in that court process. It was incredibly disappointing.

It was also disappointing when, for pretty much the entirety of the time, or close to it, that we were in opposition, I urged—urged—those opposite to back my bill to rid our roads of Wicked Campers and their absolutely disgraceful slogans that incite violence and disrespect toward women. It was just awful that you wouldn't back that in an early fashion. Nonetheless, what I can speak about are the actions that we are taking toward that journey that we must all be on together to prevent and end domestic violence.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: One of the issues that was—

The SPEAKER: Minister, I will hear the point of order under 134 from the member for Morialta.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: We are three minutes in. Under standing order 98, the question was about the CFMEU and John Setka's wife's points that she made.

The SPEAKER: There has been a—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I'm listening carefully. The questions that have been put so far have been introduced on the basis that broadly they relate to public affairs. I observe that—

The Hon. N.F. Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Hurtle Vale is called to order. I observe that there must be, it seems to me, some necessary connection between the minister's portfolio and the subject matter of public affairs that is being raised. I will listen carefully. I understand the minister is giving some context.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: I will turn to just some of the actions we are taking on that journey that, as I said, I would hope we are all on, to work towards preventing and ending domestic violence. I want to talk a little bit first of all about our planned legislative agenda.

One of the bills that I introduced from opposition was a bill to criminalise coercive control. Unfortunately, that sat on the Notice Paper for a very, very long time, despite efforts to progress that really important piece of legislation. Eventually, there was another bill that was introduced, but it was very late in the parliamentary term, so it never progressed. We have been really clear in our election commitments that we will consult very deeply with our community about legislation to criminalise coercive control and introduce that legislation and progress that legislation.

I am happy to fill the member in on other aspects of our domestic violence policy, because it is vast and it is representative of our commitment to prevent and end domestic violence and to work with our community to do so.