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Royal commission into family violence promise by Victorian Labor party Royal commission into family violence promise by Victorian Labor party
(4 months later)
The Victorian Labor party will hold Australia's first royal commission into family violence if it wins the November state election.The Victorian Labor party will hold Australia's first royal commission into family violence if it wins the November state election.
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said at the Labor state conference on Saturday the issue was a national emergency and the system was broken because it failed to protect the vulnerable and punish the guilty. Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said at the Labor state conference on Saturday the issue was a national emergency and the system was broken because it failed to protect the vulnerable and punish the guilty.
Touching on the February tragedy of 11-year-old Luke Batty, killed by his father after cricket training, an emotional Mr Andrews said the royal commission would examine the system from the ground up and nothing would be off limits.Touching on the February tragedy of 11-year-old Luke Batty, killed by his father after cricket training, an emotional Mr Andrews said the royal commission would examine the system from the ground up and nothing would be off limits.
"Family violence is a national emergency," he told delegates. "Family violence ruins lives, family violence kills."Family violence is a national emergency," he told delegates. "Family violence ruins lives, family violence kills.
"It can happen to anyone. The time has come to put people first.""It can happen to anyone. The time has come to put people first."
Already, 15 children known to Victoria's human services department had died this year, and family violence was a factor in 12 of those deaths, he said.Already, 15 children known to Victoria's human services department had died this year, and family violence was a factor in 12 of those deaths, he said.
It also made up 40 per cent of police work and was the leading contributor to death and disability in Australian women under the age of 45.It also made up 40 per cent of police work and was the leading contributor to death and disability in Australian women under the age of 45.
Mr Andrews said thousands of workers and volunteers were working hard to make things better but the system was still broken.Mr Andrews said thousands of workers and volunteers were working hard to make things better but the system was still broken.
Victims were subjected to endless waiting lists, an underfunded support network, a police force under pressure and intervention orders "that mean absolutely nothing".Victims were subjected to endless waiting lists, an underfunded support network, a police force under pressure and intervention orders "that mean absolutely nothing".
"It doesn't save enough lives. It's failing," he said. "We won't fix it until we admit it. The biggest law and order issue in our state is unfolding inside our homes.""It doesn't save enough lives. It's failing," he said. "We won't fix it until we admit it. The biggest law and order issue in our state is unfolding inside our homes."
The royal commission would begin its work next year, examining criminal law, corrections, the court system and support services.The royal commission would begin its work next year, examining criminal law, corrections, the court system and support services.
It would also look at the health system, drug and alcohol treatment, refuges, housing and police resourcing.It would also look at the health system, drug and alcohol treatment, refuges, housing and police resourcing.
A panel of survivors and support workers would advise the commission, which would report to parliament at the end of 2015.A panel of survivors and support workers would advise the commission, which would report to parliament at the end of 2015.
Luke Batty was killed by his father Greg Anderson after cricket training in the Victorian town of Tyabb on February 12, before Anderson was shot dead by police.Luke Batty was killed by his father Greg Anderson after cricket training in the Victorian town of Tyabb on February 12, before Anderson was shot dead by police.