IN Victoria’s parliament last week, South West Coast MP, Roma Britnell invited the Police and Emergency Services minister, whilst in Warrnambool for the May Race Carnival, to visit local police, and families who have approached Ms Britnell to share how they are affected by lack of laws to protect them from domestic violence offences.

Ms Britnell called into question the hypocrisy of the premier and deputy premier attending a family violence rally in Melbourne over the weekend given their government has been in power for the last 10 years and has had every opportunity to strengthen laws to protect women.

“The premier and deputy premier attending the anti-violence rally on the (previous) weekend was nothing more than virtue signalling,” she said.

“Let’s not forget that it’s your government that has been in power for the last 10 years and you have had the tools to make change, yet the damning statistics of women dying at the hands of their partner have only gotten worse.

“Minister, let’s cut to the chase. Your government committed to the National Domestic Violence Plan back in 2022.

“Here we are in 2024, and instead of seeing a decline, we are witnessing a rise in domestic violence.

“Families in South West Coast, nor anywhere else, should not be living in fear.”

 Ms Britnell’s invitation to the police minister followed contact from a local man concerned about his daughter, whose ex-partner had been threatening violence and had broken his Intervention Orders (IVO) multiple times.

She said the father concerned for his daughter’s safety expressed he was unable to understand the lack of police powered to act.

“The Police arrived and arrested the man; however, he was released soon after with orders to appear before the magistrate.” Ms Britnell said.

“This is despite having weapons charges, multiple IVO breaches and criminal damage charges.”

 Ms Britnell praised the police who do all they can to support families who are victims of violence, but criticised the government for their lack of action in equipping police with the legislation to do their job - “our Police do all they can to support women who are subjected to domestic violence; however, they confront a disheartening reality - that offenders persistently violate court orders, leaving Police powerless and victims living in fear” said Ms Britnell.

“Almost every four days a woman loses her life to domestic violence. Let that sink in,” she said.

“It’s a damning statistic that should shake us to the core.

“Our community demands better. Women demand better.”