Australian Law Reform Commission recommends reform to improve the safety for victims of family violence

The Australian Government has released the Australian Law Reform Commission’s report on the treatment of family violence across a range of Commonwealth laws. The report contains 102 recommendations for reform of the legal framework to improve the safety of victims of family violence, including child support and family assistance law, immigration law, employment law, social security law, superannuation law and privacy provisions.

Recommendations for change to immigration laws include broadening the applicability of domestic violence provisions to cover applicants on prospective spouse visas and greater protection for secondary visa holders, such as the partners of international students. For asylum-seekers, recommendations seek to improve consistency in decision making and ensure that procedures allow for, and support victims in, making family violence claims under the Refugees Convention.

Click here to read the full report

Click here to read the summary report

Click here to read media coverage on the recommended changes to immigration laws