Domestic and Family Violence

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:47): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General on the subject of domestic and family violence.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: A number of honourable members would be aware that one of the specific challenges in the domestic and family violence space is that intervention orders which have been placed for good reason may be withdrawn on the request of the victim, sometimes against the advice of SAPOL and/or their legal counsel. Last year, the former Attorney-General, the Hon. Vickie Chapman, wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police seeking their views on policies which exist in Tasmania and the ACT which encourage a pro-arrest and pro-prosecution approach to domestic violence charges. My questions to the Attorney-General are:

1. Has he been briefed on this issue?

2. Has he received, as the new Attorney-General, a reply from the DPP and/or the Commissioner of Police?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:49): I thank the honourable member for her question. I don't recall specific briefings on that issue, but I will go away and check whether there has been something that's been prepared or put forward. It is a very important matter. I know that between myself and the minister in another place, the member for Reynell, the Hon. Katrine Hildyard, we are looking at ways we can do things and make sure legislation operates to protect victims of domestic violence in the greatest possible way. So I will double-check to make sure that the work that has been done is being taken into account.