THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TERRI BUTLER MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE
MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH
CROSS-EXAMINATION REFORM WHERE IS THE FUNDING
Labor welcomes the governments belated announcement that it will introduce legislation to prevent domestic violence victims from being cross-examined by their abusers.
This awful practice has been allowed to go on for far too long, giving perpetrators the chance tore-traumatise their victims through the court system.
The government has been incredibly slow to act on calls for reform its four years since the Productivity Commission called for this change to happen and nearly two years since COAG called for the cross-examination of victims to be eliminated.
In November 2016, Labor announced its policy for cross-examination reform which included $43 million for Legal Aid to take on the representation of unrepresented perpetrators.
Legal Aid lawyers are already stretched to their absolute limit. Under the governments proposals, they must now also take on unrepresented perpetrators when directed or requested to do so by a judge. There is no way this extra workload can be taken on without extra funding.
Mr Porter needs to explain how he expects Legal Aid to meet this extra demand without any extra funding, and should detail the consultation he has had with the sector on this issue.
It is incredibly important that this overdue change is given the resources necessary for it to work. Domestic violence victims can wait no longer.
MONDAY, 13 AUGUST 2018
