MS TIERNEY (Minister for Corrections) (11:32:07) — The government is continuing its historic work to transform Victoria’s response to family violence so that victim survivors are better supported and perpetrators are held to account. We have committed to implementing all to 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, and through the 2017–18 budget invested an unprecedented $1.9 billion for this important work. We have invested a further $42.5 million through the 2018–19 budget to continue our efforts to address family violence.
We are now just over two years on from the royal commission, and it is important to reflect on the work to date. Much has been achieved, including the establishment of a dedicated family violence agency, Family Safety Victoria, which is establishing the support and safety hubs; the implementation of the new information sharing regime and the creation of a central information point to give frontline workers the information they need about perpetrators to keep women and children safe; and a boost in police resources, including the recruitment of 415 new specialist family violence police. So much has been achieved, but there is still much to do.
As we have heard, this bill is the second tranche of justice-related legislation in response to the royal commission. It responds to six recommendations and makes a range of other complementary reforms. I do thank members for their contribution in the debate, both in the other place and, this morning, in this chamber. Many members have spoken, very respectfully and sensitively, about these important reforms and the need to address family violence. Members have also spoken about how family violence affects their communities. I also note that the coalition indicated in the other place that it would not be opposing the bill, and Ms Crozier also confirmed that this morning in this place. I also note that the Greens have also indicated their support for the bill.
I am glad that we are taking a bipartisan approach to this bill. This is how it should be with these significant reforms. These reforms are an important part of the government’s work to create a new system that protects victim survivors, holds perpetrators to account and changes community attitudes. I understand there are some members who have got questions in respect to this bill, and I look forward to those discussions in committee.
Motion agreed to.
Read second time.
Committed.