Victorian Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor
Wednesday 25 January 2017 @ 11.48 a.m. | Legal Research
In December 2016, the Victorian Government gave assent to the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor Act 2016 (No. 74 of 2016). The Act establishes the position of the family violence reform implementation monitor as well as setting out the powers, functions and duties of the position.
Background
The Act is a result of the Royal Commission into Family Violence’s report delivered on 29 March 2016. The report made over 200 recommendations on possible reforms to the State’s family violence system. The Act essentially followed through on one of the key recommendations; namely the establishment of an independent statutory entity that would serve to monitor and report on implementation of the commission’s other recommendations.
Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor
The position of the Monitor is designed to hold government to account for delivering reforms that protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable as well as ensuring the implementation of all recommendations made by the Royal Commission. The Monitor will independently report to Parliament and will have complete discretion as to the content of these reports. The Monitor can only be removed from office on the resolution of both houses of parliament to ensure transparency and independent oversight.
The Monitor will have the power to compel information from government agencies as well as enter agency premises in order to obtain necessary information to perform their function. The power of the Monitor will override all legislative constraints on disclosure of information.
Appointment of Tim Cartwright
Former Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner was appointed as the Monitor in August 2016. He said:
"What I'll be doing is reporting to the Parliament on the success of the Government in implementing the recommendations of the royal commission, and on the family violence strategy plan."
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Sources:
Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor Act 2016, Act, Bill, and Secondary Materials as Published on LawOne
Family violence: Victoria's former acting police chief to oversee royal commission recommendations
