Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been broken because of domestic and family violence.

In Australia, nearly one in four women have experienced some form of violence since the age of 15. In 2023, one woman was killed, on average, every 11 days, by an intimate partner.

There is no shying away from these horrendous statistics and the tragic stories behind them.

That is why my Government has introduced a new bill designed to strengthen our response to high-risk domestic violence offenders and ensure that our legal system is effectively supporting victims.

The new law is designed to improve efficiency within the legal process and increase accessibility for those who need it most. 

Key provisions include legislating a new offence for knowingly violating an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order, punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment.

Repeated violations of an ADVO will carry a more serious penalty, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment.

Offenders who have been convicted of 2 or more domestic violence offenses will be subject to 7 years imprisonment.

The definition of stalking has also been expanded to include technology-facilitated tracking or monitoring.

These provisions are just a small part of my plan to address the unacceptable rate of violence against women and families.

Earlier this year, I introduced the Bail and Other Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Act 2024, which made it significantly harder for domestic violence offenders to receive bail.

These initiatives are just small steps. There is still a lot more to do and all government’s need to do better.

As Premier of NSW, I am committed to do everything I possibly can to prevent more violence in our community and ensure everyone feels safe in their own home.