Family violence
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:24): (992) My question is for the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, represented in this place by the Minister for Children. The beyond survival project’s new report highlights the harm caused by police responses to family violence. It finds widespread misidentification of victim-survivors, collusion with perpetrators, discrimination, racial targeting and police-perpetrated family violence. It also finds that community-based response pathways for victim-survivors are urgently needed to reduce these kinds of harms. A shift away from police as primary responders and an investment in community-based alternatives will help prioritise survivor-led responses grounded in principles of community accountability. So my question is: will the minister push for increased funding to community-led family violence responses?
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:25): I thank Ms Payne for her question for the minister responsible for the prevention of family violence, and I would be pleased to pass that to her for a response.
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:25): I thank the minister for referring that one on. By way of supplementary, complaints about police perpetrators often end up with Victoria Police for investigation. This fails to address conflicts of interest and puts victim-survivors at risk. So I ask: will the minister call for an end to these kinds of self-investigative police complaints programs?
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:25): I thank Ms Payne for her supplementary question, and I will refer it to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, who may also consult with the Attorney-General so far as is relevant.