Victorian Labor Pledges New Offences to Close Domestic Violence 'Loopholes'
Premier Ben Carroll says a re-elected Labor government would create two Australian-first offences and raise the maximum penalty for rape to life imprisonment.
A re-elected Victorian Labor government would create two new offences aimed at closing what it describes as "loopholes" that have allowed perpetrators of family violence to escape punishment, according to an election commitment announced by the state's premier, Ben Carroll.
Carroll is expected to announce on Sunday that his government would legislate a new form of manslaughter covering cases in which a person takes their own life as a result of family violence, according to the announcement. The government also plans to introduce a separate offence covering perpetrators who abandon a victim in need of medical care, the announcement said.
Both offences are being described by the government as Australian firsts.
The premier also pledged to increase the maximum penalty for rape to life imprisonment, according to the commitment.
The announcement comes as part of Labor's platform ahead of the state election, with the party framing the measures as efforts to strengthen legal protections for victims of family and domestic violence.
Further details of the proposed legislation, including how the new manslaughter offence would be defined and applied, were not immediately available.
Sources
- Victorian Labor promises new offences to close domestic and family violence ‘loopholes’ — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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