A re-elected Victorian Labor government will introduce two new criminal offences to address gaps in family violence laws, including a manslaughter charge for cases where a victim takes their own life due to abuse and a penalty for perpetrators who leave victims requiring urgent medical attention. The proposed legislation, set to be announced by the premier, aims to eliminate legal loopholes that have previously allowed some offenders to avoid accountability. Critics argue the changes could strengthen protections for victims, though legal experts will likely scrutinize the scope and enforceability of the new measures. The move follows broader political pressure to toughen responses to family violence in the state.
Premier Ben Carroll vows to legislate new form of manslaughter and increase maximum penalty for rape to life imprisonmentGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastA re-elected Victorian Labor government will create two new Australian-first offences aimed at closing “loopholes” it says have allowed perpetrators of family violence to escape punishment.On Sunday, the premier, Ben Carroll, will announce an election commitment to legislate a new form of manslaughter covering cases in which a person takes their own life as a result of family violence, as well as a new offence covering perpetrators abandoning a victim in need of medical care.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...
