Sexual assault complainants could face less distressing questioning in court under proposed changes. Wollongong District Court is one of three NSW courts chosen to trial new rules on how long questioning can last and what topics can be covered. The trial would run from 2027 to 2030 if passed by NSW Parliament. The Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed the reforms, backed by $4.8 million in government funding. Attorney General Michael Daley said the changes would minimise trauma for complainants.
Codie Bell, who alleges she was sexually assaulted at university in 2015, says restorative justice can offer victim-survivors a path to repair beyond prison. She never reported the alleged assault, and she says she did not want to pursue a court case. Restorative justice in the ACT is available only after a guilty plea and only if the victim-survivor wants it. Bell says it can be a powerful way to change behaviour. She believes the option should be opened up further, and she says the ACT Government has committed to a review of sentencing laws.
Legal services and women's safety advocates in the Northern Territory warn that proposed changes to suppression laws for sexual offences may hurt some victims. Chief Minister Leah Finocchiaro plans to introduce legislation lifting suppression orders that stop the identification of people charged with serious sexual offences. The Northern Territory Legal Assistance Forum says victims and their support services should be consulted, as the laws may have unintended consequences. The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service says that in rural and remote communities, naming an offender is often as good as identifying the victim.
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Grace, a Papua New Guinean woman, fled violence from a partner and moved to Australia as a seasonal worker. She was later granted asylum after the Administrative Appeals Tribunal found she faced a real chance of harm if she returned. Advocates say women on temporary visas face serious barriers to support, including limited access to Centrelink and Medicare. Lawyer Jarin White and Hobart Women's Shelter chief executive Janet Saunders are calling for governments to expand support. A national advocacy group wants more funding for shelters and access to housing and health care.
Super Consumers Australia has welcomed the federal government's response to a Parliamentary Joint Committee inquiry into financial abuse. The group says stronger safeguards are needed across the superannuation system to stop victim-survivors losing their retirement savings.
South Australia is considering legislation to prohibit good character references for all offenders during sentencing. The proposed reforms follow a national advocacy campaign led by survivor advocate Harrison James, which initially targeted child sex offence cases. Current laws already restrict such references for child sex offenders, but the new bill would extend this ban to all crimes. Attorney-General Kyam Maher stated the changes would align SA with other states and prevent victim-survivors from experiencing further trauma. Public consultation on the reforms is set to begin soon, with a bill expected in parliament next year.
