- Published:
- Wednesday 23 December 2015
Following a request from the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Andrews Labor Government has agreed to extend its reporting date by one month.
An extension has been granted to allow additional time for appropriate consideration of the broad and complex issues that the Royal Commission has examined. Additional funding will not be required as a result of the extended reporting date.
The Governor, Her Excellency the Hon Linda Dessau AM, has signed letters patent extending the reporting date from 29 February 2016 to 29 March 2016.
To date the Royal Commission has:
- Received nearly 1000 written submissions
- Hosted 44 group sessions which approximately 850 people attended
- Held 25 days of hearings with 220 witnesses
The Royal Commission is now making its deliberations, with a vast amount of evidence to consider.
The Government launched Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence in February to address one of the most serious issues facing Victoria.
The Government provided $40 million for the Royal Commission, $36 million of which went to the operation of the Commission, while $4 million was provided for additional family violence support services.
While the work of the Royal Commission continues, the Government has implemented other reforms, including accepting all of the recommendations of the Victorian Coroner’s Report into the Death of Luke Batty and providing a $81.3 million package in this year’s budget for family violence services.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“An extension has been granted at the request of the Royal Commission.”
“We owe it to victims of family violence and Victoria to get this right.”
“In 2016 we will get on with implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission, because we cannot continue doing things the way they have always been done.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson
“Family violence is a national emergency. It’s one of the most serious problems we confront as a government and a community, which is why we must take action.”
“The Royal Commission represents a unique opportunity to review the family violence system and achieve lasting generational change. We cannot afford to simply do more of the same. We need new approaches.”