Consider the use of video and audio evidence in family violence criminal proceedings

The Department of Justice and Regulation developed legislative amendments to address Recommendations 22, 30(a), 57, 72, 75, 76, 78, 132, 138 and 150 for inclusion in the Family Violence Protection Amendment Bill 2017. The Bill was passed by the Parliament in May 2017.

Stakeholders have been consulted, and feedback has been sought during the development of the Bill to identify any outstanding technical or policy issues.

Stakeholders consulted during this process included representatives across government and non-government organisations within the specialist family violence, justice, children and families, and legal services sectors as well as various committees. For example, the Family Violence Steering Committee, the Judicial Advisory Group on Family Violence, the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council, and the LGBTI Justice Working Group.

The Family Violence Protection Amendment Bill 2017 was introduced into Parliament on 7 March 2017 and passed on 10 May 2017.

The amendments responding to recommendation 72 came into effect on 29 March 2018.

Further amendments are being developed, as part of implementing recommendation 58, to enable the trial of a pre-recorded evidence in chief scheme for adult complainants in proceedings for family violence offences.

Implemented.