Call For Mandatory Domestic Violence Reporting

Opposition Leader Jodeen Carney has been a long time supporter of making reporting of domestic violence mandatory. Just as recently as June this year Ms Carney called on the Chief Minister to take action. Sadly no action has been taken.

On the 13th and again on the 14th June 2006 Opposition Leader Jodeen Carney asked the Chief Minister whether or not she would support mandatory reporting of domestic violence.

Unfortunately the Chief Minister failed to answer the question on the 13th and then on the 14th said it should happen but to date there has been no announcements and no action.

"Again today in the paper we see that it is loaded with stories about the problems of violence in the Territory and the Government's own crime statistics show that violent crimes are rising in the Territory,” Ms Carney said.

"When it comes to domestic violence people need to know it is not acceptable in any way shape or form and I again call on the Chief Minister to immediately put in place mandatory reporting of such incidents.

"The Chief Minister also needs to stop blaming the former CLP Government for things they have had 5 years to take action on. Ms Martin has been at the helm for 5 years now, with more money than any CLP Government ever dreamed of having and in terms of violent crimes, things are only getting worse.

"As recently as yesterday there have been further calls for the mandatory reporting of domestic violence and yet all we hear is silence from the Chief Minister.

"The Chief Minister has a choice she can take action or do nothing. Her form card suggests that nothing will be the response however, I live in hope that for once she will take action,” Ms Carney said.

2006-09-19