Thursday, 18 May 2023

Ministers statements: Victims of Crime Consultative Committee

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:23): I am pleased to update the chamber that the new term of the Victims of Crime Consultative Committee has begun, with their first meeting scheduled for next week. The Victims of Crime Consultative Committee is an invaluable part of our criminal justice system in Victoria. It ensures that victims of crime have a voice and that they are heard. The committee brings together members of the community to discuss how we can improve policies, practices and systems for victims of crime. The committee hears from and speaks to the victims of crime commissioner, Victoria Police, the Office of Public Prosecutions, the judiciary, the adult parole board and of course victim support service providers. The committee also advises me, as Minister for Victim Support, and the Attorney-General on victim-related issues.

This government is committed to improving the victim support system in our state to ensure that it is effective in supporting victim rights. This starts with transformative investments such as the establishment of the victims legal service, which I was proud to see commence in March, and will continue with the work of this committee. We are always looking for ways to improve the system so that it can respond to the unique challenges faced by victims of crime, informed by their voices.

In the previous sitting I thanked the outgoing members of the committee for their work to improve the system for victims of crime. Today I welcome the new appointments to the committee and wish them well for their term. I am looking forward to joining them at the inaugural meeting next week. I will be thanking them for their bravery in sharing their stories and lived experience and for their commitment to making the system better for other victims of crime in our state.