Fair Agenda

This election domestic violence experts have called on all parties to commit to the full funding and implementation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence’s 227 recommendations. They say it's the best blueprint we have of what’s required to keep women and children safe; to address this complex, deeply embedded and prolific violence; and that it will save lives.

So far, 90 of the Royal Commission’s recommendations are complete or underway, but 137 will need to be implemented by whichever party forms government after this Saturday. That’s 137 recommendations we can’t leave up to chance.

So, have the major parties committed to fully implement all the Royal Commission's recommendations?

Labor 

Yes. Labor has committed to implementing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.[1]

Click here to see more information from Labor on their family violence policies.

Coalition (Liberal and National Party)

The Coalition has *not* committed to implement all the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.[2]

When asked about the party’s position on the Royal Commission’s recommendations, Liberal Party spokesperson Georgie Crozier said there might be a “financial imposte”, and she would look for “efficiencies that could be realised”, and that she would “work through the detail” if elected.[3]

The Coalition has instead announced they will: introduce mandatory minimum jail sentences to family violence offenders; introduce laws to allow attending police to issue an immediate intervention order in cases of family violence, introduce a new standalone non-fatal strangulation offence in family violence cases; and pilot a Family Violence Disclosure Scheme.[4]

Domestic violence experts have implored the Coalition to reconsider their stance, and commit to implementing all the Royal Commission recommendations, and raised concerns about some of the other announcements, with Domestic Violence Victoria stating that “there is no evidence mandatory sentences or increased police powers before they’re properly prepared will make a difference to keeping women and children safe from family violence”.[5]

Click here to see more information from the Coalition on their family violence policies.

Greens

Yes. The Greens support implementing all 227 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence's recommendations.[6] Read more about Greens policies on family violence.

Click here to see more information from The Greens on their family violence policies.

This election domestic violence experts have emphasised the vital importance of all parties committing to the Royal Commission’s recommendations, stating: “The Royal Commission into Family Violence laid out a long term plan for us. They spent months understanding all the complexities involved and we need to stick to the plan. We can’t keep going with this “new government, new approach” response."[7]

It’s said that 1 in 10 people decide who they're voting for on election day. So it's critical as many people as possible know where the parties stand on the issues that matter to them.

Can you help make sure your friends and family have this information before they head to the ballot box? Forward this email to everyone you know who cares about tackling family violence.

While significant progress has been made in the two years since the Royal Commission made its recommendations - experts say will take 10 more years to realise. If you care about improving women’s safety and freedom from family violence, we urge you to consider this issue when deciding how to cast your vote this Saturday.

-References and further information-

1. ‘Responding to the Family violence crisis’, Victorian branch Australian Labor Party platform 2018, p 83.
2. Victorian election: what the parties are promising, The Guardian, 19 November 2018.
3. ‘We’ve only just started’: How the parties stack up on family violence, The Age, 4 November 2018.
4. Liberal Victoria media releases: prevention of family violence
5. Concern about Opposition’s policy for mandatory sentencing for family violence offenders, Domestic Violence Victoria media release, 17 October 2018.
6. ‘Ending family violence', The Greens.
7. Concern about Opposition’s policy for mandatory sentencing for family violence offenders, Domestic Violence Victoria media release, 17 October 2018.