One Nation Domestic Violence Policy—Keeping Families Connected
Queensland One Nation leader Steve Dickson MP said today one of the major issues which needs urgent action by Government is Domestic Violence, in all its forms.
He said in recent years there have been many reviews of legislation by both Federal and State Governments around the issues of domestic violence, family law and social policy following marriage breakdown.
One Nation believes domestic violence policy should put more focus on the children impacted by marriage breakdown. The resulting separation of parents should not unduly cause restriction of access to children for one parent.
One Nation will introduce the following amendments to legislation:
- Ensure protection orders are applied so as not to unnecessarily restrict parental access to children.
- Protection order hearings should require both parents to be present in court at the same time, so that allegations against either can be challenged prior to orders being imposed.
- In the same sense, the ability to consent without admission when children are involved should be deleted to ensure that allegations are based on evidence. If violence has occurred then the perpetrator should be penalised.
- The preamble to the Domestic Violence Act must be amended to make it gender neutral, the job of government is to protect all victims of family and domestic violence regardless of their age, gender or sexuality and the preamble to the Act must reflect this.
Mr Dickson said, “The One Nation candidate for Glass House Tracey Bell-Henselin has an extensive background in child protection working in family services. Tracey holds a Bachelor Degree in Law and Justice and most importantly has a long history of supporting parents as they deal with family court. She is strong family advocate and due to her experience, has been appointed as the One Nation spokesperson for policies relating to domestic violence and child welfare.
Mrs Bell-Henselin said, “Clearly, what is beyond doubt is that violence against any person should not be tolerated, but I believe the legislation needs amending to reflect community values and expectations.
“What appears to have escaped the attention of politicians and bureaucrats is the impact on parents of being separated from their children because of court procedures and the human impacts of the breakdown of the family unit.
“One astonishing and little unacknowledged impact has been an increase in male suicide, with estimates as high as 21 suicides per week because of the family breakdown nationally.
“I am a very strong advocate for woman’s rights and I acknowledge that the current Queensland domestic violence policy provides poor support for male victims of domestic violence and family breakdowns and urgently needs changing. We believe that families need to stay connected wherever possible for the ongoing health of children and parents,” she said.
