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| Royal commission into domestic violence hands down findings – live | Royal commission into domestic violence hands down findings – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.58am BST | |
| 03:58 | |
| With longer reports and analysis on the way from Melissa Davey and Gay Alcorn, let’s take stock of this morning’s events. | |
| 3.47am BST | |
| 03:47 | |
| As stakeholders and government agencies work on their responses to the report, here is a quick analysis from our Melbourne editor, Gay Alcorn. | |
| The first reaction to the commission’s report was that it was overwhelming - it’s seven volumes, plus a summary volume. It makes 227 recommendations and nobody yet has had the opportunity to absorb it all. And it’s so comprehensive - it covers everything from police, courts, domestic violence services and funding, housing, integrating services, training and mandatory respectful relationships programs in schools. | |
| It deals with big issues and small. For instance, it wants a an independent statutory body to oversee the implementation of the report and to hold the government to account and it also recommends that the government funds to ensure victims of family violence have counselling “for as long as they need”. | |
| It sounds prosaic, but the cost of these recommendations will be in the many hundreds of millions. The report acknowledges it, saying that it has “ substantial investment implications for government” and that for too long, the sector has been seriously underfunded. It points out too, that at the moment, the government has no real idea about how much it spends on family violence, and that needs to change. The commissioners go so far as to say that the new funds needed “may require investigating options for redirecting existing revenue sources towards family violence expenditure” and even “identifying new revenue sources” to afford it all. | |
| “In our view the community would support a substantial increase in funding to reduce family violence, provide better protection to victims and hold perpetrators accountable,” commissioner Marcia Neave told at a media conference. | |
| Premier Daniel Andrews was asked about whether he would consider a new tax to help fund the recommendations. He wouldn’t go that far, but he repeated his promise that the government would implement all 227 recommendations and said his officers were going through each one and working out how much they would cost the state. | |
| “This will be many hundreds of millions of dollars,” Andrews said. Yet he insisted it was an “investment” in a safer Victoria, and pointed out that the cost of domestic violence now - in lives lost, in injuries, in police resources to name just a few - was unacceptable. | |
| “This is not about saving money, it is about saving lives,” he said. “Family violence is costing us $3.1b a year (and) it’s 40% of police work.” | |
| 3.39am BST | |
| 03:39 | |
| It apparently weighs almost five kilos. | |
| This is the #RCFV report all 7 volumes pic.twitter.com/kS7rcyTo6i | |
| 3.33am BST | |
| 03:33 | |
| Federal Labor has congratulated the royal commission, those who contributed to it, premier Daniel Andrews, and minister for Prevention for Family Violence Fiona Richardson. | |
| “Eliminating family and domestic violence requires a long term strategic approach by all levels of government and the Australian community,” said Terri Butler, the shadow parliamentary secretary for child safety and prevention of family violence. | |
| “Federal Labor stands ready, with already released policies, and a willingness to work with state and local governments, stakeholders, and the community, to eliminate violence against women and their children once and for all,” she said. | |
| Butler noted Labor’s existing commitments, including a pledge to make domestic and family violence leave “a universal workplace right” by providing for five days paid leave in the National Employment Standards. | |
| 3.22am BST | 3.22am BST |
| 03:22 | 03:22 |
| Melissa Davey | Melissa Davey |
| Annette Gillespie is the CEO of Safe Steps family violence response centre said the safety hubs - the 17 one-stop centres the commission has recommended be established throughout the state for victims to get help from police, counsellors, housing services and other providers - was a significant recommendation. | Annette Gillespie is the CEO of Safe Steps family violence response centre said the safety hubs - the 17 one-stop centres the commission has recommended be established throughout the state for victims to get help from police, counsellors, housing services and other providers - was a significant recommendation. |
| “The safety and support hubs I think will give greater support to women and children in their local area. Also the commitment to fund frontline services and to have a blitz on emergency accommodation for women and their children to ensure there is efficient accommodation is a big shift in thinking . The history of keeping women safe has involved removing them from their homes and taking them to secret locations. These recommendations allow women to stay home and stay safe.” | “The safety and support hubs I think will give greater support to women and children in their local area. Also the commitment to fund frontline services and to have a blitz on emergency accommodation for women and their children to ensure there is efficient accommodation is a big shift in thinking . The history of keeping women safe has involved removing them from their homes and taking them to secret locations. These recommendations allow women to stay home and stay safe.” |
| She said the recommendation calling for an independent government body to oversee the commission’s recommendations would be significant in holding the government to account as well as the organisations responding to family violence, such as police. That accountability was something Gillespie said she never thought she would see several years ago. | She said the recommendation calling for an independent government body to oversee the commission’s recommendations would be significant in holding the government to account as well as the organisations responding to family violence, such as police. That accountability was something Gillespie said she never thought she would see several years ago. |
| 3.15am BST | 3.15am BST |
| 03:15 | 03:15 |
| Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service, has specifically noted one recommendation. | Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service, has specifically noted one recommendation. |
| “The Royal Commission recommends that within 12 months men’s behaviour change programs are funded to meet the demand from men who are ordered to attend and also from those who volunteer,” Watt told Guardian Australia. | “The Royal Commission recommends that within 12 months men’s behaviour change programs are funded to meet the demand from men who are ordered to attend and also from those who volunteer,” Watt told Guardian Australia. |
| “This is a first and represents a significant shift from how Victoria has approached its family violence prevention response to date. | “This is a first and represents a significant shift from how Victoria has approached its family violence prevention response to date. |
| I’m pleased to see this recommendation from the Royal Commission and look forward to No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service assisting the government in implementing the expansion of men’s behaviour change programs across the state this year.” | I’m pleased to see this recommendation from the Royal Commission and look forward to No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service assisting the government in implementing the expansion of men’s behaviour change programs across the state this year.” |
| 3.05am BST | 3.05am BST |
| 03:05 | 03:05 |
| LGBTI groups have welcomed the report. | LGBTI groups have welcomed the report. |
| “It is encouraging that the Royal Commission has acknowledged that LGBTI people experiencing family violence have not been adequately supported. In this climate, it is not surprising that a half to two thirds of people in LGBTI relationships do not access support when experiencing family violence,” said Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor Sean Mulcahy. | “It is encouraging that the Royal Commission has acknowledged that LGBTI people experiencing family violence have not been adequately supported. In this climate, it is not surprising that a half to two thirds of people in LGBTI relationships do not access support when experiencing family violence,” said Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor Sean Mulcahy. |
| “These recommendations are critical to ensuring that LGBTI people can access family violence services who understand their particular needs and without a fear of being turned away. The recommendations also highlight the need for inclusive community education and awareness campaigns that encourage LGBTI people experiencing family violence to seek help.” | “These recommendations are critical to ensuring that LGBTI people can access family violence services who understand their particular needs and without a fear of being turned away. The recommendations also highlight the need for inclusive community education and awareness campaigns that encourage LGBTI people experiencing family violence to seek help.” |
| 2.59am BST | 2.59am BST |
| 02:59 | 02:59 |
| Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service in Victoria, says it was encouraging to see the experiences of Indigenous women were front and centre in the report. | Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service in Victoria, says it was encouraging to see the experiences of Indigenous women were front and centre in the report. |
| “Too often Aboriginal women are silenced and invisible to policy makers,” she told reporters. | “Too often Aboriginal women are silenced and invisible to policy makers,” she told reporters. |
| “It was also encouraging to see that the royal commission is recommending that the government invest into Aboriginal community controlled organisations, those organisations that focus on women and children as well as legal services for victims. Also there were other recommendations around child protection [we are pleased with].” | “It was also encouraging to see that the royal commission is recommending that the government invest into Aboriginal community controlled organisations, those organisations that focus on women and children as well as legal services for victims. Also there were other recommendations around child protection [we are pleased with].” |
| Braybrook said 80% of Aboriginal women in prison were mothers, and 90% of those had experienced family violence. | Braybrook said 80% of Aboriginal women in prison were mothers, and 90% of those had experienced family violence. |
| “An investment into culturally safe, community controlled services will ensure all Aboriginal women have access to those services and safety.” | “An investment into culturally safe, community controlled services will ensure all Aboriginal women have access to those services and safety.” |
| 2.48am BST | 2.48am BST |
| 02:48 | 02:48 |
| Melissa Davey | Melissa Davey |
| Fiona McCormack from Domestic Violence Victoria is a bit disappointed there wasn’t more emphasis on a dedicated long term funding scheme, contributed to by both the state and federal governments. | Fiona McCormack from Domestic Violence Victoria is a bit disappointed there wasn’t more emphasis on a dedicated long term funding scheme, contributed to by both the state and federal governments. |
| There was some emphasis on it she says, but there could have been more. | There was some emphasis on it she says, but there could have been more. |
| Stakeholders responding now including Fiona McCormack pic.twitter.com/QOv37D9vHJ | Stakeholders responding now including Fiona McCormack pic.twitter.com/QOv37D9vHJ |
| 2.45am BST | 2.45am BST |
| 02:45 | 02:45 |
| Among the 227 recommendations by the royal commission are several new approaches which it says are needed to address family violence. | Among the 227 recommendations by the royal commission are several new approaches which it says are needed to address family violence. |
| Below is a summary, set out in the report. | Below is a summary, set out in the report. |
| 2.22am BST | 2.22am BST |
| 02:22 | 02:22 |
| "The human cost is unacceptable" | "The human cost is unacceptable" |
| Daniel Andrews has delivered a response to the findings via video message. | Daniel Andrews has delivered a response to the findings via video message. |
| “Last year 37 Victorians were murdered by the people they trusted the most, and we failed every single one of them,” says Andrews. | “Last year 37 Victorians were murdered by the people they trusted the most, and we failed every single one of them,” says Andrews. |
| “One thing’s for certain, more of the same policies will only mean more of the same tragedies.” | “One thing’s for certain, more of the same policies will only mean more of the same tragedies.” |
| It's time to change it all. #RCFVhttps://t.co/Y5ygYMkPTD | It's time to change it all. #RCFVhttps://t.co/Y5ygYMkPTD |
| 2.17am BST | 2.17am BST |
| 02:17 | 02:17 |
| The full report from the royal commission into family violence is now online. | The full report from the royal commission into family violence is now online. |
| 2.12am BST | 2.12am BST |
| 02:12 | 02:12 |
| Rosie Batty, anti-violence campaigner, former Australian of the Year, and the mother of 11-year-old Luke, who’s death at the hands of his father was among the incidents which prompted this inquiry, says the report is “a huge turning point in our society”. | Rosie Batty, anti-violence campaigner, former Australian of the Year, and the mother of 11-year-old Luke, who’s death at the hands of his father was among the incidents which prompted this inquiry, says the report is “a huge turning point in our society”. |
| “It would have been great that it happened decades ago,” she says. “It’s sad that it happened through tragedy.” | “It would have been great that it happened decades ago,” she says. “It’s sad that it happened through tragedy.” |
| Batty says it’s “critical” that states keep pressure on the federal government over funding for anti-violence programs, and that the issue should be on the federal election agenda. | Batty says it’s “critical” that states keep pressure on the federal government over funding for anti-violence programs, and that the issue should be on the federal election agenda. |
| "It will take weeks" to digest the seven volume report, Rosie Batty says. "But I'm thrilled" she says. #RCFV pic.twitter.com/dBGOsRnjJX | "It will take weeks" to digest the seven volume report, Rosie Batty says. "But I'm thrilled" she says. #RCFV pic.twitter.com/dBGOsRnjJX |
| 2.05am BST | 2.05am BST |
| 02:05 | 02:05 |
| Reactions to the findings are beginning to come in from stakeholders and spokespeople. | Reactions to the findings are beginning to come in from stakeholders and spokespeople. |
| The Victorian Council of Social Service described the report as “a landmark moment and a turning point in addressing the scourge of family violence in Victoria”. | The Victorian Council of Social Service described the report as “a landmark moment and a turning point in addressing the scourge of family violence in Victoria”. |
| The organisation welcomed the focus on aspects like financial security, which it described as one of many “critical areas that are often overlooked”. | The organisation welcomed the focus on aspects like financial security, which it described as one of many “critical areas that are often overlooked”. |
| “The Royal Commission’s report provides a framework for long-term, whole-of-government, transformational change across the family violence system,” said Emma King, VCOSS CEO. | “The Royal Commission’s report provides a framework for long-term, whole-of-government, transformational change across the family violence system,” said Emma King, VCOSS CEO. |
| “Some of the recommendations will require significant new funding. We look forward to seeing this begin to roll out in the state government’s April budget. | “Some of the recommendations will require significant new funding. We look forward to seeing this begin to roll out in the state government’s April budget. |
| “Challenges will inevitably arise with such seismic change to the way the Victorian community, the service system and government work together to tackle the scourge of family violence. But it is incumbent on us all to make the most of what is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve real change.” | “Challenges will inevitably arise with such seismic change to the way the Victorian community, the service system and government work together to tackle the scourge of family violence. But it is incumbent on us all to make the most of what is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve real change.” |
| 2.01am BST | 2.01am BST |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| Read Davey’s full report on the findings of the royal commission here. | Read Davey’s full report on the findings of the royal commission here. |
| Related: Overhaul 'broken system' of dealing with domestic violence, says royal commission | Related: Overhaul 'broken system' of dealing with domestic violence, says royal commission |
| 1.59am BST | 1.59am BST |
| 01:59 | 01:59 |
| Andrews says he spoke with prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull this morning, and will discuss the findings tomorrow night. | Andrews says he spoke with prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull this morning, and will discuss the findings tomorrow night. |
| Andrews and other state and territory leaders are having a dinner with Turnbull ahead of Friday’s Council of Australian Governments meeting. | Andrews and other state and territory leaders are having a dinner with Turnbull ahead of Friday’s Council of Australian Governments meeting. |
| He says he’s not interested in fighting with the federal government and is confident Turnbull will hear him out on the federal government’s role. | He says he’s not interested in fighting with the federal government and is confident Turnbull will hear him out on the federal government’s role. |
| 1.48am BST | 1.48am BST |
| 01:48 | 01:48 |
| Melissa Davey | Melissa Davey |
| Andrews is asked how he will fund the extensive overhaul of various systems. He doesn’t have a cost yet - his officials were working through the document still, which he only received yesterday, to figure it out. | Andrews is asked how he will fund the extensive overhaul of various systems. He doesn’t have a cost yet - his officials were working through the document still, which he only received yesterday, to figure it out. |
| Some of the recommendations recommend funding and changes within months, others within years. However Andrews said implementing all the recommendations would cost the government “many hundreds of millions of dollars”. | Some of the recommendations recommend funding and changes within months, others within years. However Andrews said implementing all the recommendations would cost the government “many hundreds of millions of dollars”. |
| He is not deterred by this. | He is not deterred by this. |
| “The budget will be delivered in just a couple of weeks time. Obviously here are some things that can’t wait. We will move quickly on those things that simply can not wait. That will come at a significant cost. This is not about saving money. This is about saving lives. Family violence is costing us at least $3.1bn dollars every single year. How do you put a price on a life lost?” | “The budget will be delivered in just a couple of weeks time. Obviously here are some things that can’t wait. We will move quickly on those things that simply can not wait. That will come at a significant cost. This is not about saving money. This is about saving lives. Family violence is costing us at least $3.1bn dollars every single year. How do you put a price on a life lost?” |
| 1.40am BST | 1.40am BST |
| 01:40 | 01:40 |
| In the first clue about the extent of the work required, Andrews says the changes needed will come “from governments over time” and “we need a focus beyond the life of any one government”. | In the first clue about the extent of the work required, Andrews says the changes needed will come “from governments over time” and “we need a focus beyond the life of any one government”. |
| Andrews describes the problem as a failure of political leadership, not hard workers in the family violence sector. "That changes today". | Andrews describes the problem as a failure of political leadership, not hard workers in the family violence sector. "That changes today". |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.40am BST | at 1.40am BST |
| 1.37am BST | 1.37am BST |
| 01:37 | 01:37 |
| There is a lot of optimism about the changes which can come from this report. The recommendations are many and ambitious, and the Victorian government has pledged to implement them all. | There is a lot of optimism about the changes which can come from this report. The recommendations are many and ambitious, and the Victorian government has pledged to implement them all. |
| Women too often have to choose between violence and homelessness, Neave says, which is why the report focuses on helping women with housing. | Women too often have to choose between violence and homelessness, Neave says, which is why the report focuses on helping women with housing. |
| Daniel Andrews is back on and describes the report as important not just for Victoria but the nation. He thanks #rcfv for their hard work. | Daniel Andrews is back on and describes the report as important not just for Victoria but the nation. He thanks #rcfv for their hard work. |
| Applause for Premier Daniel Andrews as he says all 227 #RCFV recs will be implemented by his gov #springst | Applause for Premier Daniel Andrews as he says all 227 #RCFV recs will be implemented by his gov #springst |
| However the premier says a change of the bad and "appalling" attitudes towards women will take a long time. Applause as he calls for change. | However the premier says a change of the bad and "appalling" attitudes towards women will take a long time. Applause as he calls for change. |