Victorian Labor promises new offences to close domestic and family violence ‘loopholes’
News Source
•Sat, 19 Sep 2026 19:00:54 GMT
📰 What Happened
Victorian Labor says it will create two new crimes if it wins the next election. One would cover cases where someone takes their own life because of family violence. The other would cover a person who leaves an injured partner without getting help. Premier Ben Carroll announced the plan on Sunday.
The second crime follows the coroner's findings after two women died. Belinda Jones died at her Maryborough home in 2023 after her partner left her overnight. Narelle Simmons died in 2021 after her partner attacked her and left her home. Neither partner was charged over the deaths.
🔍 The Backstory
Family violence has been a big issue in Victoria for years. Coroner Liberty Sanger looked into the two deaths. She said leaving a hurt victim is itself a form of family violence. It shows the abuser's control over the victim.
Labor also plans to raise the top penalty for rape from 25 years to life in prison. The top penalty for murdering a partner would rise to 30 years. Courts could also treat patterns of sexual abuse as evidence at trial.
🎯 Why It Matters
The changes aim to close gaps that let abusers escape charges. Supporters say they could protect people in danger and hold offenders to account.
Victorian Labor says it will create two new crimes if it wins the next election. One would cover cases where someone takes their own life because of family violence. The other would cover a person who leaves an injured partner without getting help. Premier Ben Carroll announced the plan on Sunday.
The second crime follows the coroner's findings after two women died. Belinda Jones died at her Maryborough home in 2023 after her partner left her overnight. Narelle Simmons died in 2021 after her partner attacked her and left her home. Neither partner was charged over the deaths.
Family violence has been a big issue in Victoria for years. Coroner Liberty Sanger looked into the two deaths. She said leaving a hurt victim is itself a form of family violence. It shows the abuser's control over the victim.
Labor also plans to raise the top penalty for rape from 25 years to life in prison. The top penalty for murdering a partner would rise to 30 years. Courts could also treat patterns of sexual abuse as evidence at trial.
The changes aim to close gaps that let abusers escape charges. Supporters say they could protect people in danger and hold offenders to account.